Off-Duty Ohio Police Officer Killed at Bar

An Akron off-duty patrolman is dead and four other people, including another off-duty officer, were shot early Sunday morning at Papa Don's Pub in East Akron.

Patrol Division Officer Justin Winebrenner, 32, a seven-year veteran of the department, was shot in the chest and died a short time later at a nearby Summa Akron City Hospital, Akron Police Chief James Nice said.

Winebrenner was trying to calm a situation where an unruly patron who had been kicked out of the pub earlier returned brandishing a gun, police said.

Winebrenner also served for two years as a Medina County juvenile detention officer and was the son of a retired Barberton police officer. He was the father of a 4-year-old daughter.

Kenan Ivery, 35, of Grand Avenue in Akron, was charged with aggravated murder and five counts of felonious assault. He was apprehended after the shooting after officers and K-9 units found him hiding in a field near the pub, Akron Police Capt. Daniel Zampelli said.

Nice said he would not release the names of the other people shot, and that some have significant, possibly "life-threatening" injuries. The other off-duty Akron officer had minor injuries when a bullet "grazed" him, Nice said.

Winebrenner was at the restaurant, at 1891 E. Market St., when the shooting occurred about 2 a.m.

In describing what happened, Nice, surrounded by about 15 police administrators and officers, choked up.

Winebrenner's death is the first officer-related shooting death since 1975 and the first death of an officer in the line of duty since 1994.

Nice said police are still actively investigating the incident and that he could provide only a few details.

Winebrenner and Ivery had both attended a fundraiser for an athletic organization earlier in the evening, Nice said. He declined to disclose the name of the group.

After the fundraiser, Winebrenner and friends went to another location, then to Papa Don's Pub.

At some point, Ivery entered the restaurant and was "unruly," Nice said. Ivery was asked to leave, then returned shortly afterward, brandishing a weapon.

Nice said restaurant patrons looked toward Winebrenner, knowing he was an off-duty police officer. He was not in uniform.

"Winebrenner began to deal with Ivery as a law enforcement officer. Ivery shot him at that point. The specifics of how many shots, we'll find out later when the reports come back in," Nice said.

The chief said he would not disclose whether any gunshots were exchanged between Winebrenner and Ivery, nor the sequence of events in the shooting while the investigation is continuing.

Nice said an officer responding to the scene performed CPR on Winebrenner before he was transported to City Hospital.

"The officers on the scene were remarkable," he said. "We've got some pretty shaken up officers."

Winebrenner's family members, speaking through law enforcement officials, said they were not ready to talk about his death.

Winebrenner was a very well-liked officer who received a commendation recently for his work in a burglary, Nice said. In 2008, the officer was among three officers who rescued a motorist from his car before it was engulfed in flames after a crash.

Court records show numerous charges against Ivery, many for drug abuse, dating back to 1997. At least one charge involved illegal possession of a firearm.

Police confirmed that Ivery's brother, Henry Ivery, was shot and killed in 2012. His homicide remains unsolved.

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic is in Spain on a business trip, but immediately was notified of Winebrenner's death, said Billy Soule, assistant to the mayor for community relations.

"I know this pains the mayor," Soule said.

Soule said the department is already reeling from so many other losses in the department of officers who died of natural causes and suicides. Former Police Chief Larry Givens died last week and was 14th death this year -- and the ninth since August -- of an Akron police officer.

"This is the ultimate in pain. We all grieve. You can see it in their eyes," Soule said.

Soule and Nice called Winebrenner a hero who stepped in to protect others.

The bar was closed Sunday morning, and a sign indicated it would be closed all day.

Friends of the slain man had fastened seven neon-yellow posters on a fence outside the bar in his honor and had signed them or written other messages.

One reads: "We love you Justin to one of the best men I have ever met. RiP Brother."

And another: "If I ever loved a blue guy ... it was that guy!!!! LTP."

Winebrenner's death is the first officer killed in the line of duty since George Knaff, who was killed in a traffic collision with a drunk driver while responding to an emergency call on Nov. 5, 1994. The last officer shot and killed in the line of duty was Gary Yost on Aug. 23, 1975. Yost was killed by an unknown person or persons involved in a break-in, according to police.

Beacon Journal staff reporter Rick Armon contributed to this report. Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or [email protected].

Tribune News Service