Cop ID'd in Shooting of Suicidal Columbia Man
HOWARD COUNTY, Md. (WJZ)--Police identified the cop who shot 42-year-old James Schueler, who they said was on his way to kill his family and himself on Monday morning.
Police Officer First Class Zachary Cerrone, a 10-year veteran of the police department who is assigned to the tactical section, fired a single shot at Schueler after Schueler pointed a weapon at officers. Cerrone has been placed on standard administrative leave with pay.
The incident happened around 7: 00 a.m. when 911 dispatchers received an emergency call from a concerned family member.
Around 8:00 a.m. police say they stopped Schueler, driving a Jeep Cherokee at the corner of Hayshed Lane and Tamar Drive.
During the stop, police say negotiators were called to the scene when Schueler began holding replica pellet gun to his head attempting suicide by cop.
At approximately 8:15 a.m., investigators say the man got out of the Jeep and pointed a weapon at the officers prompting them to open fire on the man. An officer shot the suspect once in the torso and immediately began life -saving efforts.
Schueler is currently in fair condition at University of Maryland Shock Trauma.
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