Motive remains under investigation for man who ambushed Lorain police officers

Elyria police are continuing to investigate why a Lorain man opened fire on Lorain officers having lunch Wednesday afternoon. At 1:04 p.m., a police officer radioed that he was being shot at near River Bend Drive. Multiple officers responded, and were met with gunfire from a man who police said had an arsenal of weapons including rifles, handguns, ammunition and improvised explosive devices. The man, identified by police as Michael Parker, 28, was found dead at the scene. Elyria police confirmed Thursday that Parker was killed when officers returned fire. The bombs were removed from the scene and disposed of with a controlled detonation, police said. Later that evening, a home on Lakeview Boulevard, confirmed by neighbors as Parker's residence, was searched. "This incident has deeply impacted all of us in law enforcement. Our hearts are with the officers who were injured, their families, and the entire Lorain Police Department during this incredibly difficult time," said Elyria police Chief James Welsh in a news release. "We want to extend our sincere gratitude to all of the agencies that responded swiftly and selflessly during this critical incident." "The coordinated efforts of our regional law enforcement partners — including tactical teams, bomb technicians, patrol units, and investigators —were instrumental in ensuring public safety, securing the scene, and advancing this complex investigation. In moments of crisis, it's the strength of our partnerships that carries us through," Welsh said. Parker has no criminal history in Lorain County according to court records outside of three traffic tickets. The most recent were issued by Lorain police in 2022 and 2023. One of the officers shot — Officer Phillip Wagner — cited Parker with leaving the scene of an accident and going left of center, both misdemeanor traffic offenses, in November 2022. It wasn't known if Parker knew when he allegedly opened fire on the officers that one of them had ticketed him two-and-a-half years ago. Parker's leaving the scene of an accident charge was dismissed in Lorain Municipal Court in May 2023, and Parker pleaded no contest to going left of center. Judge Mark Mihok found him guilty and ordered Parker to pay $317 in fines and court costs, according to court records. He also was convicted of following too closely, a misdemeanor, in Lorain Municipal Court in 2023 and Avon Lake Municipal Court in 2018 and paid fines in each case, according to court records. Anyone with information related to this incident is urged to contact Elyria police Lt. Tom Wade at (440) 326-1362 or at wade@cityofelyria.org.