Police Officer Brandon M. Stalker

Officer: Toledo Police Department, Police Officer Brandon Stalker

Date: 1/18/2021                      Location: Toledo, OH                        FACTORS (1,2,4,5,13,15)

Perpetrator(s) Involved: Christopher Harris

Criminal Activity History/Involved: Yes, besides a conviction for drug possession, Harris had warrants for vandalism and criminal mischief./Yes, the officers tracked down Harris to arrest him for vandalizing a church earlier in the day. He was facing charges for “arson, vandalism, and racial, religious, or ethnic intimidation crimes.”

Mental Illness: His family stated Harris “struggled with mental illness”, and on social media he wrote, “I’m not going to jail. They’re going to have to kill me.”

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Yes, Harris had a previous “conviction on drug abuse and possession.”/None stated.

Race/Sex/Age: Black/Male/27

What prompted the initial contact with the killer? At approximately 4 p.m. on January 18, 2021, Toledo Police Officers responded to a residential house where they were told they would find Christopher Harris, the man suspected of vandalizing the church that day by writing “Jesus is black” on it.  

Actions taken by subject toward police: Harris was outside the house and upon seeing the officers arrive he fled, displaying a weapon as he ran into a nearby house. A SWAT team arrived, and the officers kept the house surrounded as they tried to get Harris to come out and peacefully surrender. After two hours of failed negotiating, the police deployed tear gas into the home, at which point Harris came out with a gun in each hand wildly shooting at the officers, fatally striking Officer Stalker.

Reactions by the police: In response to Harris firing nine times at the officers, the SWAT team returned fire at him 19 times, hitting him eight times and killing him.

How murdered? Officer Stalker was shot in the head when he peeked out from behind the SUV as the barricaded suspect came out shooting.

What could have been done differently for the officer to still be alive? When Harris initially fled and brandished his weapon at the arriving officers, they could have justifiably shot him. Officers should maintain cover when facing a known armed subject, especially when SWAT officers are on scene and can use their shields to keep eyes on him/her.

Would the officer had been justified to use deadly force before being murdered? Yes, when Harris initially displayed his firearm, he could have been justifiably shot.

Outcome for the cop-killer: Harris was justifiably shot when he exited the house with guns blazing.

Miscellaneous: The incident was captured on dashcam video. Toledo Police Chief Kral stated, “there’s a lot of people out there who just don’t have respect for the police anymore and think they can act with impunity.”