The unarmed Case Western Reserve University law student who was shot and killed by a Hudson police officer following a crash on the Ohio Turnpike in December had marijuana in his system, according to the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office.
However, it’s not known if Saif Alameri, 26, was intoxicated by the drug at the time.
“Marijuana can be in your system a lot longer than other stuff,” Chief Investigator Gary Guenther said.
Guenther explained that marijuana — like other drugs — can be detected in a person’s blood long after its intoxicating effects have ended.
According to a toxicology report, marijuana was the only intoxicant found in Alameri’s system.
The revelation came Thursday morning, more than two months after Alameri’s death. The shooting is being investigated by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification and could result in charges against the officer, Ryan Doran.
An Ohio Attorney General spokeswoman declined to say whether the discovery of marijuana in Alameri’s system changes anything in the investigation.
“Our investigation is still ongoing,” she said.
Doran shot Alameri shortly after 3 p.m. on Dec. 4.
According to 911 call recordings, police dashboard camera videos and police reports, Alameri caused a crash on the Ohio Turnpike and flipped his vehicle. The driver of another vehicle involved in the crash was not hurt.
Alameri exited his vehicle and fled north to a wooded area. Doran caught up with Alameri, who was unarmed. Doran immediately drew his gun and shouted orders: “Stop! I will shoot! Get down!”
The encounter between Doran and Alameri could not be seen on the dashboard video, but it could be heard.
Shuffling, which police describe as a struggle, could be heard on the recording. Doran breathed heavy, as if he were running, but Alameri’s voice could not be heard.
A little over a minute after the encounter began, six gunshots rang out — three shots fired rapidly, followed by three with a beat between each. Between the two sets of shots, the audio captured the sounds of a man grunting and then whimpering.
The Medical Examiner’s Office determined Alameri was hit five times: once in the head, once in the face and three in the left leg.
Alameri, who was a Case Western Reserve University law student, was from the United Arab Emirates. He had been in the United States less than a year when he died. Those who knew him described him as friendly and respectful. He hoped to run a law firm in his home country.
Doran was placed on paid administrative leave from the police department, pending the ongoing investigation by BCI.
A special prosecutor will review the case once BCI’s investigation is complete. Charges could be filed if it’s found that he violated the police department’s deadly force policy, which dictates officers may fire their guns at suspects only when suspects pose a threat of serious harm to the public.
Nick Glunt can be reached at 330-996-3565 or nglunt@thebeaconjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickGluntABJ and on Facebook @JournoNickGlunt .