Man Who Posted He Is Signing His Own Death Certificate On FB Gets Shot By Police Over 30 Times

Kwamaine O’Neal was distraught, agitated, and in an argument with his daughter’s mother when Toledo police were dispatched to the couple’s apartment early Saturday at the Weiler Homes public housing complex in East Toledo.

“I just feel as though I have to record tonight. I feel some type of way, and whatever is going to come to me, is going to come to me,” the 47-year-old said in a Facebook video before police arrived. “Tonight, I just might be signing my death certificate. So if that’s what it is, it is what it is.”

Toledo police said officers responded to the 600 block of Leach Avenue after 911 dispatchers received a call at about 12:30 a.m. from a crying woman who whispered she was involved in a domestic situation with her child’s father and had locked herself in the bathroom. She stated he was intoxicated, had injured her head, and continued to threaten her, according to a TPD statement.

Four officers arrived to the apartment about 12:50 a.m. and could hear the suspect yelling at the victim as they knocked on the door, the statement said. The officers instructed the suspect to open the door, while from outside they heard the suspect continue to make homicidal and suicidal threats.

“Fearing for the woman’s safety, officers forced entry into the location and announced themselves as police officers,” the police statement said. “The suspect came down the stairs making suicidal statements while holding a gun and pointing it at officers.”

The police statement said that “at least one officer fired, wounding the man at least once.” An autopsy performed later Saturday by Dr. Jeffrey Hudson, a deputy Lucas County coroner, found that Mr. O’Neal had been shot 19 times, in the head, torso, and arms, causing his death.

Dr. Hudson said a formal ruling on the manner of death was being withheld pending further investigation.

Officers began to administer cardio-pulmonary resuscitation while Toledo Fire and Rescue Department crews moved into the house to administer aid to the suspect and victim, police said. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

As of Saturday afternoon, police had not yet released the dead man’s name, but Christopher Boyd, of New Jersey, and Sharee McCorkle, of Virginia, each told The Blade it was their brother, Mr. O’Neal. Both said they spoke with their brother by phone almost daily, and said his daughter was the most important person in his life.

“My brother was a good man. All he wanted to do was take care of his child. I just want my brother back,” Ms. McCorkle said through tears. “He had a gun to protect his family.”

Mr. Boyd said he knew his brother posted a video on Facebook about his situation, and he was on speaker phone with Mr. O’Neal early Saturday trying to talk him through the conflict with his child’s mother. She wanted him to leave, Mr. Boyd said, but Mr. O’Neal didn’t want to go without his baby daughter.

Mr. Boyd said he knew his brother had retrieved his gun and loaded it because he thought someone was coming to the apartment to confront him. Mr. Boyd said he is unsure if Mr. O’Neal knew the police had been called.

In his video, Mr. O’Neal said he would not go to jail.

“I ain’t going out without fighting,” he said.

Mr. Boyd said he heard the doorbell ring through the phone, and then his brother got quiet and went into another room. He heard yelling, and then he heard the gunshots.

“It was a lot of shots. It was rapid, but like from a handgun,” said Mr. Boyd.

Police also have not released the names of the officers involved, but officials confirmed that at least one officer fired multiple rounds. Any officers involved in deadly-force incidents are placed on paid administrative leave per TPD policy and the department’s contract with the Toledo Police Patrolman’s Association.