Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Two stories in one location

We just finished shooting some video of Buchtel High School to use in tonight's story about a local teacher who was arrested ... but while we were at the school, a second story broke out -- right in front of us.

While I was on the phone with a producer in our Cleveland office, videographer Larry Baker heard a child screaming on the front porch of the home right next to the high school. He could tell that the child was in trouble. As Larry began moving towards the home to check on the child, two police vehicles pulled up and the officers jumped out in a hurry and headed for the front porch.

Two neighbors were talking to the officers and pointing at the front of the house.

As the officers entered the home, the neighbors told me that the man inside had been beating his girlfriend and the child had run screaming in fear. The neighbors say the beating was so bad, that they could hear the screams over the busy traffic on Copley Road.

Needless to say, the neighbors were surprised to see a TV camera there that quickly, but I explained that we were only 100 feet away at the time and wanted to help if we could.

Within seconds of entering the home, the Akron officers were back outside searching the nearby bushes and a back garage .. obviously looking for the suspect who had made a run for it. Other units showed up and the chase was on.

I still don't know if they found the suspect or not .. or what the condition of the woman is .. but it's enough to get your heart pumping in the middle of the afternoon.

Now back to story #1 .. and a local teacher charged with getting drunk and pointing a weapon at another man's head. Police later find an arsenal in his basement .. and also charge him with drug possession.

My favorite line so far comes from the 9-1-1 call from a neighbor. He told the dispatcher that the teacher had been drinking all day and was therefor "annihilated." I'm guessing he meant "inebriated." Although, if the story is true, this man was close to "annihilating" another human being had APD not shown up in time.

All this and the day is barely half over .. Yikes!

2 comments:

Cliff said...

The fortunate thing about the Buchtel teacher is he was found out before any innocent lives were destroyed.

As far as the man(I use the term loosely) beating his girlfriend, I wish he could have been caught and been made an example of.

Anonymous said...

Wow sounds like youve had a crazy day , i agree with 74wixgrad .. and am glad im not in akron anymore lol