Ex-cop says acting to stop Ohio gunman was natural

[August 09, 2011]  COPLEY, Ohio (AP) -- A former police officer says he got involved in a gun battle with an Ohio man who police say shot and killed seven people because, as he puts it, "it's part of my DNA."

Keith Lavery tells WKYC-TV of Cleveland he doesn't consider himself a hero. He lives in the neighborhood near Akron where police say 51-year-old Michael Hance stalked people and gunned them down Sunday morning. His victims included an 11-year-old boy. Hance was killed in the shootout with police and Lavery.

Authorities are still trying to work out details and a motive. Neighbors say Hance's actions followed a dispute over a home that once belonged to the parents of his girlfriend, who was shot but survived.

Lavery says he feels terrible for everybody involved, including Hance.

___

Information from: WKYC-TV, http://www.wkyc.com/

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.