In an early morning news conference, Toledo Police Chief George Kral said that Dia responded to the scene to check on the man, and then witnesses described the suspect walking away from Dia before turning and firing one round from a handgun, hitting Dia in the chest, the Toledo Blade reported.
Dia was placed in a cruiser and rushed to ProMedica Toledo Hospital, the Blade reported, where Dia died.
Gov. Mike DeWine offered his condolences to Dia’s family and colleagues.
"Fran and I were deeply saddened to learn of the death last night of Toledo Police Officer Anthony Dia in the line of duty. We extend our sympathy to his wife and 2-year-old child, his other family members, and his colleagues in the Toledo Police Department,” he said.
“To honor the life and service of Officer Dia, I have ordered that the flags in Lucas County and at the Statehouse be lowered to half staff beginning tomorrow and through his funeral service,” DeWine said.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said his heart broke for Dia’s family.
“Officer Dia lost his life doing what police do during every watch of their lives — trying to help someone. His memory will stand tall forever, a man who was fulfilling his duty in his final act. My heart breaks for the family he left behind,” he said.
A witness to the shooting told the Toledo Blade that she and a group of friends had gathered in the parking lot, which is used as a hang-out spot for informal car shows, when the suspect came up and began bothering a group of people nearby.
The witness described the suspect walking away from Dia, crouching behind a stack of gardening supplies, then shooting at the officer.
WTVG-TV reported that police found the 57-year-old suspect dead some time later due to a gunshot wound. WTVG-TV said that it learned that the wound was self-inflicted.
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