U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force Officer Involved in Shooting During Arrest of Child Rape Suspect

Euclid, OH – This morning, a member of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) was involved in an officer involved shooting during the arrest of Timothy Kukla, 33.  Kukla was wanted by the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority for multiple counts of rape of a male and female under the age of 13. 

Members of the NOVFTF developed information that Kukla was residing in an apartment near the 24400 block of Lake Shore Boulevard, Euclid, Ohio. This morning, as task force members attempted to arrest Kukla at the apartment, he fled off an exterior balcony and broke into another occupied tenant’s apartment, on the floor below. Kukla continued to flee from officers inside the apartment building but was eventually located by officers hiding in an apartment closet. As task force officers were attempting to place Kukla under arrest a task force officer fired one round at Kukla. Kukla suffered one non-fatal gunshot wound. Officers rendered aid to Kukla, and he was transported to University Hospital main campus where he was treated for his injury, and he is expected to fully recover. No law enforcement officers were injured during this incident.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation will be conducting the investigation for the officer involved shooting and the Euclid Police Department will be investigating and charging Kukla for breaking into another tenant’s apartment.  

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.  Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies:  U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.