Department of Justice

Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan announced that Darryl Borden, 43, of Cleveland, Ohio, pleaded guilty in federal court today to being a felon in possession of a firearm after Borden shot a Cleveland Police Officer responding to a call for help last July.

“Borden ambushed two Cleveland Police Officers who were simply trying to do their job and assist a member of the community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bridget M. Brennan.  “During Police Week, a time where we celebrate the accomplishments of law enforcement and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, it is important to remember that situations like this are all too common, and our police officers and other law enforcement regularly risk their lives to protect and assist the communities they serve.”

“We cannot tolerate individuals who commit violent acts against either members of our community or first responders coming to their aid,” stated Roland H. Herndon, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of ATF’s Columbus Field Division.  “The Defendant’s criminal history already prohibited him from possessing a firearm, and he showed that he learned nothing from his previous brushes with the legal system.  His guilty plea ensures that he will not be a further threat to the safety of our community for quite some time.  The men and women of ATF’s Columbus Field Division commend the officers involved on their handling of this confrontation and trust the injured officer is making a full recovery.”

According to court records, on July 20, 2020, Cleveland Police Officers responded to a residence after a woman called police, stating that Borden was threatening her with a gun.  Officers met the woman outside of the home and were told that Borden was upstairs with a firearm.

Officers entered the residence, announced themselves as police officers and attempted to search a bathroom.  Borden, who was inside the bathroom, waited for the officers to open the door and then pointed his firearm at both officers and fired, striking the second officer.  The first officer returned fire, and both retreated outside of the home.  The second officer sustained gunshot wounds in the arm and back.  Cleveland Police SWAT responded to the scene and Borden was soon thereafter taken into custody.

A handgun with five spent rounds and one live round was recovered from inside the bathroom.  Borden is prohibited from possessing a firearm due to previous convictions for robbery, burglary and sexual battery in the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Borden has also been indicted by a Cuyahoga County Grand Jury for the attempted murder and felonious assault of the police officer and having a weapon under disability as a result of this incident.       

Borden is scheduled to be sentenced on September 14, 2021.  A federal district court judge will determine a sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

This case was investigated by the ATF and the Cleveland Division of Police.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Scott Zarzycki. 

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