GhLinks Media
Mentor city officials identified those killed and injured in a shooting at a Mentor mobile home park on Thursday afternoon, as well as the 47-year-old suspect, identified as Jason Norris, who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Jason Norris was a U.S. Army veteran who was discharged about two decades ago, but he couldn’t offer specifics on his exit from the Armed Forces.
Witnesses said Jason Norris was facing eviction at Mentor Green Mobile Estates, 7166 Mentor Ave., and had fought with the property manager, according to a Friday news release.
Police believe that was earlier this week or last week, and it’s currently unclear whether that was a motive for the shootings.
Four people in the mobile home park were shot, three of whom died.
Mentor Ohio victims
- Laura Colon, 63, who was found dead from her injuries in the roadway.
- Charles Skala, 63, remains in stable condition with serious injuries. He was found shot in his home.
- Terrance Mathis Sr., 63, was shot in the stomach. Officers carried him 60-yards to safety, and he later passed at a hospital.
- Thomas Galizia, 81, died from his injuries on the scene.
What happened
On Thursday afternoon, Norris came out of his unit with two handguns — a .45-caliber handgun and a .38-caliber revolver — and shot at Colon and three others who came to her aid, before retreating back into his unit, said Grunsch.
Mentor police responded to reports of an active shooter at about 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16.
The first officer who arrived on scene just two minutes later found the property manager, 62-year-old Laura Colon, dead in the roadway. Mentor officers later used tactical shields to rescue Colon from the roadway, Grunsch said.
The second officer on-scene found a man, 63-year-old Terrance Mathis Sr., who had been shot in the stomach. That officer pulled the man to safety and gave him CPR. Grunsch said the officer “combat-carried” him another 60 yards across the street to responders, who took him to a nearby hospital. He later died of his injuries.
Norris then began firing on officers from inside his home, unit No. 84. He fired six to eight shots, as officers took cover, Grunsch said. They did not return fire. No officers were injured — “a blessing,” he said.
“It’s a difficult situation,” Grunsch said. “You’re there to provide aid, you’re there to stop a threat, and all of a sudden, you’re receiving fire. It’s a tough situation, but we’re trained for it.”
The third and fourth officers on-scene found a second person dead of gunfire, 81-year-old Thomas Galizia, who lived in the unit neighboring Norris’ home.
Authorities found a fourth shooting victim, identified as a 63-year-old man, who had been shot in his home in the shoulder and right thigh. The man was escorted outside by Willoughby police and taken to a local hospital. He is reportedly in stable condition.
SWAT officers then arrived with three armored vehicles and surrounded and evacuated the park.
Residents took shelter at the Mentor Senior Center, and were assisted by the American Red Cross. Victim advocates from the city and the Lake County Crisis Team also helped tend to their needs, according to the release.
