SOLON, Ohio - The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office has cleared two Solon patrol officers in a fatal March 17 shooting during a traffic stop.
The prosecutor’s office and a grand jury agreed that the use of deadly force by officers Steven Davis and Nicholas Kline was justified.
Both officers are now back on regular duty.
On March 17, Kevin Bailey, 22, was pulled over on Bainbridge Road near Sharondale Drive shortly before 10 p.m. During the stop, Bailey fled in his car and drove over a curb before shooting at police, the department said.
Patrolman Davis was shot in the arm and chest where he was wearing a ballistic vest. Several rounds also hit Patrolman Kline’s car, but he was not injured. "I don’t think there was ever any question that the actions taken by the Solon police on that night were unfortunate but necessary and completely driven by Mr. Bailey’s unprovoked choice to shoot," said Police Chief Christopher Viland. "...Our officers responded in a competent and professional manner to an unthinkable attack on a Sunday evening, neutralizing an armed threat by someone actively trying to take their lives, and immediately rendering first aid upon the incident’s conclusion."
Officers fired four shots at Bailey, killing him.
