KENT, Ohio -- A Kent man fatally shot by a police officer early Thursday charged at officers while wielding a two-foot long machete, Kent police said.
Douglas Yon, 25, told family members he would make any police officer shoot him if they arrived at the home in the 600 block of Virginia Avenue, according to police and a 911 call. He also told family members he'd harm the officers if they showed up, according to a family member who called 911.
Kent Police Chief Michelle Lee said she believes her officers were justified in the shooting but will leave the final determination to the Portage County Sheriff, who is investigating. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting the sheriff.
"I stand by my officers," Lee said. "I believe they did what they had to do to protect themselves and the people in the home."
Yon argued with family members at the house because someone was being loud in the home, Lee said. Family members objected because of at least two young children in the house, including one who is 2 years old. There were at least four other adults in the home at the time, Lee said.
Yon grabbed his machete and damaged some items in the home, Lee said. No one inside the home was injured.
A family member called 911. She told police she asked Yon to leave but that he refused. She also relayed information to police about Yon threatening police.
The woman spoke to Yon during the 911 call.
"I asked you to leave and you refused to leave," she said. "You could have come back another day."
The six people inside the home went outside at the dispatcher's request. Yon followed and four officers with a range of experience from one to 15 years pulled up to the house.
The caller told the dispatcher Yon ran at the officers and that he wouldn't stop. At least six gunshots can be heard on the 911 recording. He never directly spoke with the officers, Lee said.
"They shot my cousin," she said through tears. "I just wanted him to leave."
The officers called for an ambulance and tried to render CPR, but Yon died in the middle of the street before paramedics arrived.
Lee said she did know how many officers fired shots or how many shots were fired. She said she did not know how close Yon got to the officers before they fired shots.
Lee also said their department considers machetes to be lethal weapons and therefore the officers would be justified in using deadly force in lieu of another option, such as a stun gun or pepper spray.
She said the department does not have body cameras and that dash cam video did not capture the shooting since they were facing away from the incident.
Lee said she hopes the investigation will be wrapped up in a few weeks. She said they collected the officers' guns at the scene and that BCI did a 360-degree mapping of the crime scene.
She said she expects the officers involved to be interviewed within three days. All four are on paid administrative leave, Lee.
"It's always a tragic incident," Lee said. "Especially in the death of someone."