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Officer and suspect hurt in standoff
Posted: 06.18.2010 at 5:59 PM
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SYRACUSE -- On Friday afternoon Syracuse Police Officers and U.S. Marshals tracked 36 year old Ormond Harrison to a house on Highland Street on Syracuse's north side. Police say Harrison barricaded himself inside and a tense standoff ensued. Neighbors listened as police tried to talk Harrison into surrendering.
"They were really nice trying to talk him out - saying it was only a parole violation, don't make it worse," said Joseph Sherwood. Sherwood lives next door to the house Harrison barricaded himself in.
Harrison wouldn't come out so police decided to go in. Officers went in through a window and then police say they were attacked by two rottweilers. One of the two dogs was shot and killed by police.
Harrison ran up to the second floor of the house and with neighbors watching - jumped out a second story window. he was taken to university hospital with a serious head injury. Officer Daniel Rathbun was bit by one of rottweilers several times. Paramedics treated his wounds at the scene and he was also transported to the hospital. A police spokesperson said Rathbun is expected to be OK.
Neighbors said it was a frightening scene to watch. Charles Baker had his children get down on the floor when he heard gunshots two doors down the street.
"It was wild - it was crazy," said Baker "Too close to home - especially here."
Ormond Harrison's outstanding warrant was for a probation violation but he could face more charges from Friday afternoon's incident.