Cleveland police officer shoots, critically injures former councilwoman’s son

A Cleveland, Ohio, police officer who shot a man this weekend now faces public scrutiny as the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office investigates the use of deadly force.

The Plain Dealer reported that two officers spotted 27-year-old Randall Scott, Jr., walking with an open container at 12:20 a.m. on Saturday. But Scott’s friend, Ray Brown, told a Fox 8 reporter that he and his friend were on private property.

“Police pull up, talk about open containers, but we in the yard. We weren’t out in the streets doing anything wrong,” he said.

According to Brown, the officers asked Scott to step off the porch and he complied. When they asked him to put his hands in the air, he did that, too. He also told them he had a registered gun in his waistband.

“That was the first thing that came out of his mouth,” Brown said.

Fifth District Community Services Unit officer Mark Worsencroft allegedly shot Scott in the stomach when he lowered his hand towards his waist “at some point,” reported Fox 8’s Maria Scali. They department has since confirmed that Scott does, in fact, have a valid concealed carry permit.

An elderly neighbor recalls Scott saying, “Y’all shot me. Why? Why did you shoot me?” as he doubled over in pain.

Worsencroft, 30, joined the department in October 2007, according to the Plain Dealer. Scott, on the other hand, is the son of former Cleveland City Councilwoman Sabra Pierce Scott, who served as Mayor Frank Jackson’s campaign manager in 2009.

The Plain Dealer's story doesn't allow comments, but opinion is divided on Fox 8's site. Some people wonder why the police were "harrassing a private citizen on HIS property" and others speculate that a CCW holder is not allowed to drink while carrying. We welcome your opinion on this incident.

police harassing a private citizen on HIS property

police harassing a private citizen on HIS property