Photo: youtube
A tragic domestic incident unfolded in Lakewood, Ohio, on Monday morning, leaving one man dead and a local news reporter, Winnie Dortch, hospitalized with gunshot wounds. Dortch, a reporter for Cleveland’s WOIO 19 News, is now recovering after undergoing surgery at MetroHealth Medical Center.
Lakewood police received a call around 8 a.m. reporting a heated argument between two individuals in the Cleveland suburb. As officers made their way to the scene, 911 dispatchers received reports of gunshots. Upon arrival, authorities found Dortch with a serious gunshot wound and 34-year-old Bryant Carter dead at the scene from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Lakewood Police Captain Gary Stone confirmed to local news stations WKYC and News 5 Cleveland that the incident appeared to be a murder-suicide, with Carter shooting Dortch before turning the gun on himself. Police also noted that Dortch and Carter were known to each other.
MSN reported that both Dortch and Carter were members of the Clifton Early Learning Center community. Following the tragic event, the center was closed for the day. Father Kevin Elbert of St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, located nearby, expressed his sorrow over the incident. “It’s a tragedy,” he said. “This is so close to home. Any loss of life is tragic, especially in a place that’s holy ground.”
WOIO confirmed the positive news of Dortch’s surgery during a Monday afternoon broadcast, calling it “fantastic news.” In a statement, WOIO News Director Brian Sinclair shared his thoughts on the event. “This morning, our friend and colleague Winnie Dortch was the victim of a brutal domestic violence attack. She was immediately rushed to MetroHealth Medical Center and underwent surgery for her injuries,” Sinclair said. “Our prayers are with her, her young daughter, and the many other victims of domestic violence in our community.”
Dortch, who previously worked in Milwaukee at CBS 58, recently announced her upcoming move to WGN-TV in Chicago, her hometown, set for December 2024. The announcement came last month via social media, where she expressed excitement for her next professional chapter. For now, her WOIO colleagues and the local community rally behind her as she recovers from this devastating event.
This heartbreaking incident highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence, a crisis that continues to impact communities across the nation.
