BRIDGEPORT, Ohio — “This could have ended very badly.”
That is what Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack is saying about an incident where a suspect and an officer each fired shots at a Bridgeport home Sunday evening.
Joseph Charles Berry, 51, of National Road in Bridgeport faces multiple charges including two counts of domestic violence, two counts of felonious assault, using weapons while intoxicated, and resisting arrest.
Berry is being held without bond in the Belmont County Jail following the tense domestic violence incident where the suspect allegedly fired a shot in the vicinity of his wife and a police officer shot at him.
Belmont County Sheriff James Zusack and Bridgeport Police Chief John Bumba held a joint press conference Monday afternoon to address a what began as a domestic incident that occurred Sunday evening and escalated into gunfire and an armed standoff.
The incident unfolded around 6:45 p.m. Sunday, when Belmont County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call. Bridgeport Police officers also responded. Upon arrival, officers learned that Berry had allegedly fired a shot during an argument with his wife. Sheriff Zusack stated Berry allegedly fired the shot within his wife’s vicinity. Zusack added that Berry had allegedly made threats to harm both himself and any responding officers.
Berry reportedly fled into a garage on the property before law enforcement arrived. As officers attempted to make contact, Berry allegedly presented a firearm and ignored repeated commands to drop it. A Bridgeport police officer fired a single shot in response, which did not strike Berry.
“Once the weapon was raised toward the officer, our officer discharged one round, missing the suspect,” Chief Bumba said. “The threat level was extremely high.”
Berry retreated further into the garage but later emerged after verbal commands were issued. According to officials, he ignored additional commands and reached toward a vehicle. A Belmont County deputy then deployed a Taser, subduing him. Berry was taken into custody without further incident and transported to a local hospital after complaining of chest pains. He was later cleared and booked into the Belmont County Jail.
Sheriff Zusack confirmed that Berry was intoxicated at the time of the incident.
Authorities recovered multiple weapons from the garage, including a loaded AR-style assault rifle, a loaded shotgun, and a handgun found in the bedroom. Sheriff Zusack confirmed that at least some of the weapons were legally owned.
Berry’s wife was not injured in the incident and is reported to be safe.
“This could have ended very badly,” said Sheriff Zusack. “Thankfully, no officers or civilians were harmed. Everyone did their job, and it ended as well as we could have hoped.”
Chief Bumba echoed that sentiment, saying, “It ended well. It could have been a lot worse.”
Chief Bumba said he is not not aware of any prior law enforcement encounters that the Bridgeport Police Department had with him.
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