Cleveland fires six police officers over deadly 2012 chase

"The incident was unprecedented," Cleveland Police Commander James Chura told reporters of the shooting, which killed Malissa Williams and Timothy Russell. "It took an investigation just as unprecedented to get to the truth."

The decision to fire the officers comes as U.S. law enforcement is under scrutiny for the use of lethal force against minority groups. It followed a series of high-profile deaths of unarmed black men in confrontations with police, which have prompted sometimes violent demonstrations.

The chase on Nov. 29, 2012, began in downtown Cleveland after reports of gunfire coming from Russell's car, where Williams was a passenger.

But no weapon was found in the car or along the route. A forensic mechanic testified at Brelo’s trial that the car was prone to backfiring.

The Cleveland chase lasted more than 20 minutes and went through multiple cities at speeds topping 90 mph, ending in a school parking lot where Russell was shot 24 times and Williams 23 times.

The U.S. Justice Department found in 2014 that the Cleveland police engaged in a pattern and practice of excessive force. Cleveland police also made national headlines in 2014 for the fatal shooting of Tamir Rice, a black 12-year-old playing with a replica gun in a park.

Steve Loomis, president of the union that represents Cleveland officers, said the firings were "shamefully political" and "the direct result of the current and false narrative surrounding the facts and law enforcement throughout this country."

The union has filed grievances to get the officers their jobs back, Loomis said.

The firings and suspensions were announced after a 90-minute news conference that detailed a chaotic scene, with bullets flying in all directions. Brelo fired at the civilians from the hood of his squad car, officials said.

Cleveland paid the families of Williams and Russell $1.5 million each to settle a wrongful death lawsuit.

Reuters