Cleveland police suspend 63 officers who fired 137 shots killing unarmed man (Was it because they were black?)

More than 60 Cleveland police officers involved in an unauthorized car chase in which 137 shots were fired, killing two unarmed people, have been suspended. 

A panicked driver and passenger fleeing police were shot dead in November following a 23-minute pursuit in which more than 60 cruisers sped through residential neighborhoods.

While only two police cars are allowed to give chase, dozens of cruisers joined the pursuit because they believed the two victims were armed.

Police Chief Mark McGrath announced today that 63 of the 104 officers involved will be suspended for up to 10 days, while 13 directly involved in the shooting could face criminal charges. The police union said it would appeal the decision. 

Last year's shocking chase began about 10.30pm when an officer thought he heard a gunshot from a car speeding past the police and courts complex in downtown Cleveland.

Jumping into his patrol car and radioing for help, the officer pursued driver Timothy Russell, 43, and passenger, Malissa Williams, 30, who allegedly refused to stop. 

Police don't know why the pair didn't pull over, but it is believed they panicked.

About 60 cars joined the November 2 pursuit 'without the sector supervisor’s knowledge or permission', according to a state investigation of the incident. 

Only two police vehicles are allowed to be involved in a chase.

During the pursuit, which reached speeds of 125mph, many of the officers had reportedly not followed instructions about switching their radios to the main communications channel and did not hear orders to discontinue the chase.

Officers claimed they joined the chase because they thought Russell and Williams were shooting at police and believed 'a police officer was in trouble.'

The chase went through crowded residential neighborhoods, then reversed course, heading east onto the busy I-90 and through parts of Cleveland and East Cleveland.

As the chase ended near a school, Russell allegedly rammed a patrol car and drove toward an officer on foot.

That's when gunfire erupted, with 13 officers firing 137 rounds at the car.

Russell was shot 23 times and Williams 24 times in what civil rights groups described as an 'execution-style killing'. The pair was unarmed.

While officers believed shots had been fired from Russell's car, investigators now say it was the sound of the 1979 Chevy backfiring.

Russell had a criminal record including convictions for receiving stolen property and robbery, while Williams had convictions for drug-related charges and attempted abduction.

McGrath said, following an 11-month investigation, 63 officers will be suspended totaling 178 days. The longest suspension is 10 days.

He said the officers are being disciplined because of excessive speed, insubordination and failure to request permission to join the pursuit.