CLEVELAND, Ohio – A Cleveland police sergeant has been charged with dereliction of duty, a second-degree misdemeanor, and accused of failing to assist a fellow officer during a high-profile shooting in January.
Sgt. Antwuan Wells, a 10-year veteran of the force, was charged Thursday in Cleveland Municipal Court. He is the focus of an internal affairs investigation following a Jan. 21 officer shooting outside of Belinda’s Night Club in the city’s Cudell neighborhood.
Wells, 38, was working that morning in an off-duty capacity, according to court documents. The court records do not name the location, but Capt. James O’Malley, president of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8, the union representing higher-ranking officers, confirmed that it was Belinda’s.
While Wells was inside the club listening to his police radio, another officer was requesting help for a shooting outside, according to prosecutors. Wells, however, failed to offer any assistance, authorities say.
O’Malley said he is aware of the charges but hasn’t seen them yet. “The FOP will monitor the case and assist with any administrative charges that will likely develop,” he said.
A police spokesperson confirmed Wells is the subject of an open internal affairs investigation but declined further comment about the charges.
The incident began as an altercation between two club patrons that spilled into the street. One of the men fled, and his assailant fired at him, striking him in the head, police reported.
Another police sergeant, on duty and parked outside the club, saw the shooting play out. He ordered the suspect to drop his gun and ultimately fired his own pistol, striking the suspect at least once, police said.
The suspect and the 28-year-old victim were hospitalized and survived, while the sergeant was put on administrative leave.
O’Malley praised the officer’s response. “A shooting occurred in front of him, and he ultimately took action to prevent someone losing their life,” he said. The officer has since been cleared and is back on duty, O’Malley added.
Following the incident, Jose Pizzaro of Cleveland was indicted in Cuyahoga Common Pleas Court on charges of attempted murder, drug trafficking and other charges. The 34-year-old’s next court date is scheduled for Aug. 21 in Judge Richard Bell’s courtroom.
The complaint against Wells also alleges that he failed to intervene during a separate assault at Belinda’s that morning. In that case, another officer working security struck two citizens and pulled his gun on one of them, prosecutors say. Wells watched the assault occur but failed to step in or provide assistance, they claim.
Court records do not indicate whether the other security guard was a Cleveland police officer.
Wells’ arraignment is scheduled for June 22.