News Release

Date 08/15/08

For Immediate Release: Gun-wielding suspect fired at by Springfield Police Officer

Earlier today, a Springfield Police Officer fired a shot at a suspect with a gun. The incident happened around 3:36 a.m. Police Officer Brandon Cole had been dispatched to a disturbance at 1013 E. Battlefield #46A. The caller reported to 911 that yelling, crying and thumping sounds had been heard from this apartment for about 2 hours.

As Officer Cole arrived, he saw the apartment door to #46A was accessible by a second floor hallway. He climbed the stairs and took a position just outside of the door at #46A, between the door and the stairs located a few feet away. Soon after, a backup officer arrived and he stood on the other side of the door. Both officers were easily recognizable as police, as they were both wearing standard patrol uniforms.

Officer Cole knocked on the door to make contact with the resident. Both officers heard footsteps getting louder as if someone was stomping to the door. When the door opened slightly, Cole noticed a male subject's face. He greeted the man and made eye contact with him. As the door swung open, Cole immediately noticed the suspect had a semi-automatic handgun in his right hand, pointed straight out the door. The suspect immediately began swinging the gun towards Cole as he tried to move to a concealed position. Cole drew his service weapon from its holster and yelled for the suspect to drop the gun while again identifying himself as a police officer. The suspect continued to move towards the door with gun in hand, closer to Cole and the backup officer who could not see the threat from his position.

After a second challenge from Officer Cole to drop the gun, the suspect failed to comply and again swung his firearm towards Cole. Fearing for his life, Cole fired one round from his service weapon at the suspect, however missing the suspect. The shot apparently frightened the suspect into retreating back into the apartment. The door slammed shut. After a few minutes of negotiation, both the suspect and another occupant of the residence came out after opening the door. They were both taken into custody.

The suspect was identified as Timothy Gawel, 21 years old, of Springfield. He was arrested for Unlawful Use of a Weapon and booked into the Greene County Jail. The second occupant of the residence was released at the scene; it was determined their role in the incident was negligible. Gawel's handgun was seized from inside the apartment.

Brandon Cole has been with the Springfield Police Department for over five years. He is 27 years old. Before this incident the last officer-involved shooting in Springfield was July 24th, 2008.

To discuss the incident, there will be an informal press conference held at Police Headquarters (321 E Chestnut Exp) at 11:30 a.m. All members of the press are invited to attend.

SPD Case Number: 08-37194

 

Media Contact: Public Information Officer Grant Story, phone 417-864-1702

Release authorized by: Major Ron Hartman