at around 9:11 p.m., deputies from the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, alongside the Wadsworth Police Department and Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, were dispatched on a report of an armed male, identified as
44-year-old David Septer, who was possibly enroute to Wadsworth High School. Upon arrival at the school, a deputy was stationed at the east entrance. The deputy stated that the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) was pinging the subject’s cell phone, and those pings were showing that the subject was getting closer to the high school. The vehicle being driven by Septer was described as a 2014, gray in color, Ford F-150.
At approximately 10:06 p.m., a deputy located the subject vehicle on Broad Street near Silvercreek Road.
The deputy got behind the vehicle and verified that the registration returned to the subject (David Septer). The deputy then drove down Silvercreek to locate the subject vehicle. Before initiating the traffic stop, the deputy radioed that they would be doing a high-risk stop. The deputies activated their emergency lights and siren.
Septer continued to drive south on Silvercreek for approximately ¼ mile. Septer pulled over. Septer put his left leg out of the vehicle at which point two deputies had their handguns drawn. The deputies began to give verbal commands for Septer to show his hands.
One of the deputy stated, “I heard a very distinct click noise which I assumed could possibly be a safety for a firearm and I heard a very distinct racking noise of a firearm.” As Septer exited the vehicle he could be seen holding a rifle. Septer then began to raise the rifle. Two deputies with the Medina County Sheriff’s department, both 3-year veterans, engaged the suspect and fired their service weapons. After Septer fell to the ground, the deputies approached Septer and the vehicle. After verifying that there were no other occupants in the vehicle, deputies kicked the gun away from Septer. A deputy then retrieved a medical kit from his vehicle and officers rendered aid to Septer. Approximately 4 to 5 minutes later EMS arrived on scene. Ultimately, Septer died as a result of the injuries he sustained.
