Corner Alley Shooting: Officer, 21-Year-Old Identified

CLEVELAND, OH — An off-duty Cleveland Police officer shot and killed a 21-year-old at the Corner Alley on Saturday. Police say the 21-year-old attacked the officer, leading to the shooting. Law enforcement have now identified the officer involved and the victim.

The officer is Dean Graziolli, a 51-year-old. He has been with Cleveland Police since 1992 and was promoted to sergeant in 2002. He has been placed on administrative leave, a spokesperson for Cleveland Police said. The killed 21-year-old is Thomas Yatsko, according to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner.

The incident started at about 11 p.m. on Saturday when a fight broke out inside Corner Alley. Graziolli escorted some men outside, including Yatsko. The 21-year-old came back to Corner Alley and got into a fight with the officer.

Cleveland Police say Yatsko began physically assaulting the officer. Graziolli then fired his gun at the 21-year-old, hitting him. Yatsko was taken to University Hospitals where he was pronounced dead. Graziolli suffered injuries to his face from the fight.

The Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department is investigating the shooting. A Cleveland Police spokesperson said the department will cooperate throughout the investigation.

Photo from Renee Schiavone, Patch