The Vermilion Police Department announced in a public Facebook post this evening, that two suspects have been identified and firearms recovered in connection with a series of drive-by shootings that occurred during the early morning hours of July 23. Between 3:23 a.m. and 5:33 a.m., four locations were struck by gunfire. One occupied home was hit multiple times by 5.56 mm rifle rounds while the resident slept inside. No injuries were reported.
The Vermilion Police Department identified the firearms involved as a 20-gauge shotgun and a 5.56 mm rifle. One of the incidents, which occurred on Brownhelm Station Road, was first reported by Vermilion Daily. The homeowner escaped injury despite multiple rounds entering the residence. That initial report is available here: vermiliondaily.com/gunfire-damages-vermilion-home-police-ask-for-tips.
Following the shootings, VPD’s Detective Bureau launched an investigation involving surveillance video from private residences, license plate reader data from surrounding municipalities, and community tips. Investigators identified two suspects: a 16-year-old male and an 18-year-old male, neither of whom resides in Vermilion.
On August 1, search warrants were executed at two locations: one in Lorain and one in Sheffield Lake. The VPD was assisted by detectives from the Lorain Police Department, the Sheffield Lake Police Department, and the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team. The firearms believed to be used in the shootings were recovered from the Sheffield Lake residence and have been submitted to the Bureau of Criminal Investigation for ballistic analysis.
As of this writing, the suspects have not been formally charged, so their identities have not been released. VPD stated that, based on current evidence, the shooting locations appear to have been chosen at random, with no indication of specific targeting.
Police noted that the involved vehicle has been impounded and that felony charges are expected once lab results confirm a match between the recovered weapons and shell casings found at the scenes.
“We are releasing this information to help ease some of the anxiety present for residents of these locations,” the department said in a public statement.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Holmes at the Vermilion Police Department.