Update 3:30 p.m.: The case involving a knife-wielding suspect and the Cincinnati Police officer who killed him will not go to a Hamilton County grand jury.
In a release Prosecutor Joe Deters says, "This is a justified shooting. After threatening a Kroger store employee with a knife, he did not hesitate to try to stab a Cincinnati Police officer who did not even have an opportunity to get out of his vehicle. It is clear this assailant attempted to cause serious physical harm to Officer Brucato."
Deters says the police may distribute video of the incident as they wish.
Editor's Note: Cincinnati Police released the video at 4:45 p.m..
Original Post 11:00 a.m.: The Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office has issued a subpoena for video that reportedly shows a suspect attacking a Cincinnati Police officer with a knife and shows the officer shooting and killing the suspect Sunday morning. It's unclear when the video will be made public.
For that reason Cincinnati Police Chief Eliot Isaac told reporters during a Monday news conference he could only describe what happened.
Isaac offered this timeline:
7:24 a.m. Sunday morning: Police received a 911 call from the Kroger store at 1420 Vine St. saying a suspect had shoplifted and threatened a security guard with a knife.
7:40 a.m.: Police spot the suspect, 25 year old Jawari Porter, at Government Square and approach him in their car. According to police, before Officer Anthony Brucato could even get out of his car Porter attacked him with a knife.
Chief Isaac said it was a vicious, violent attack. "The individual armed with a knife, immediately rushed the officer who was exiting the driver's side door of the vehicle. Recognizing the threat, the officer immediately drew his firearm as the suspect entered his car door and repeatedly attempted to stab him."
Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley told reporters a loss of human life is tragic and the city sends its prayers to the family. But he said, "It's also important to recognize, based on what we just heard, that we could have been in a situation where an officer was killed. The Chief has told you and the video will ultimately show you that this man tried to kill a Cincinnati Police officer."
The officer who shot and killed Porter is white. He is Anthony Brucato, a 26 year veteran of the department. He is on administrative leave during the investigation, which is standard procedure. Police say a second officer in the vehicle did not fire his sidearm.
Cincinnati Police have been patrolling with two officers in a cruiser after deadly attacks on officers in Baton Rouge and Dallas. Those attacks came in response to the high-profiles deaths of African-Americans in police custody over the last few years.
Hamilton County court records show the suspect has suffered from mental problems in the past. He was ordered into treatment last year after being ruled incompetent to stand trial. In September 2015 Porter faced charges of assault and resisting arrest. Police say he continued to attack the victim after they used stun guns.
