A man who entered the Elyria Police Station with the intent of killing an officer attacked a woman instead when he did not find one in the lobby, according to Elyria Police.
The incident occurred around 2:30 p.m. on Monday at the station located at 18 West Ave.
Security footage provided by police shows Daniel Carrillo walking into the station and approaching a glass window.
“I’d like to turn myself in for publicly, publicly intoxication,” Carrillo said.
When asked for his name and whether he was drunk, he responded, “Nah, I’m high.”
Carrillo then sat in a chair. Moments later, a woman approached the window, waiting in line to obtain a report.
According to police, Carrillo then approached the woman with a belt in his hands and wrapped it around her neck. She later told officers that, based on the look in his eyes, she believed he intended to kill her.
Officers intervened within 17 seconds, rescuing the woman and immediately placing Carrillo in handcuffs.
“I want to commend the responding officers for their rapid response and decisive actions in preventing further violence,” said Elyria Police Captain Bill Lantz.
The woman, who has a pre-existing heart condition, sustained a laceration on her nose and hand, along with redness around her throat and knuckles. She was treated at the station but declined further medical attention.
Carrillo later told officers that he had smoked marijuana before arriving and had taken off his belt in preparation for the attack. He admitted that his plan was to use the belt as a weapon and stated that if released, he would attempt to kill again.
“Our thoughts remain with the victim, who endured a traumatic and unprovoked attack. She displayed tremendous resilience, and we are grateful that she was not seriously injured,” said Captain Lantz.
Carrillo remains in custody at the Lorain County Jail and faces multiple charges, including felonious assault, strangulation, assault, aggravated menacing, and disorderly conduct while intoxicated.
19 News reached out to Elyria Police regarding protocols for separating individuals asking to be arrested from others but did not receive a response.
Concerned for public safety, 19 News visited Mr. Dee’s Karate Academy to discuss self-defense techniques in case of an attack.
