Man killed by Akron Police identified

A man suspected of firing shots at officers Monday morning was killed when police returned fire.

That’s according to the Akron Lodge No. 7 Fraternal Order of Police and the Akron Police Department.

According to Akron police, officers tried to pull over a white Toyota Camry that had been reported stolen at about 8:45 a.m. at Kenmore and Lakeshore Boulevards.

“The driver of the vehicle fired upon the police officers. Officers returned fire, striking the driver of the vehicle at least once,” the Akron Police Department said in a press release.

The suspect was described as a man in his 30s. He was identified by the Summit County Medical Examiner’s office as Marcus Leonard Smith, 39, from Cincinnati.

An autopsy is scheduled for Tuesday, according to the medical examiner.

“One Akron Police Officer was shot at this morning by a suspect in a car as the officer attempted a traffic stop. The suspect then fired shots at more officers when he jumped out of the car after crashing it,” the FOP said.

“His shots forced the officers to make a split-second decision and return fire, and they shot and killed him,” the FOP continued.

No officers were injured.

Three officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, as is procedure.

Their experience ranges from 9 to 30 years of service, Akron police say.

Akron FOP 7 had a strong statement about the incident.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been called to assist in the investigation.