Being first on the scene isn’t just something we can toot our own horn about come newscast time. When it comes to gathering information, being first on the scene can give you the best perspective on a story – the more you see, the more you know first-hand.

But getting to a shooting at the exact same time as police? Not really a good thing.

This past Sunday, I was alongside Toledo police officers as they cornered some criminals on top of a shopping center at Bancroft and Franklin. They called in Toledo Fire’s Truck 7 to put a ladder up so the cops could grab the perps. As I stood next to said fire truck, I heard this come across their radio:

“Engine 3, take a person shot. Walnut and Dove Lane…”

Because it took so many officers to surround the building, I was able to hop in my Jeep and drive the mile – hitting every green light, something that never happens for me – and pull up in the area. I see the police behind me and know they’re coming from other parts of town, too, then spot Engine 3 waiting for TPD.

I slide up behind some police cars when an officer reports to dispatch, “I’ve got a man shot over here…” All the cops started hopping out of their cars as I’m rushing to the back of my Jeep to grab my gear.

Camera in hand, I’m kind of wandering aimlessly, waiting to see where the cops go, when a guy starts leading police down Ontario – running. So I run behind, hugging the walls of homes as the cops bolt down the sidewalk, eventually finding a man shot in the shoulder.

I thought they were after the suspect. Glad I was wrong.

When I start to second-guess my decision, I think to myself: if I were riding along with these cops, I’d be right here with them, no second guessing.

Plus, I got a pretty clear understanding of what was going on – by being there and seeing it all unravel first-hand.

By the way, cops think they know who’s behind this shooting… I profiled him and other suspects in this week’s FOX Toledo’s Most Wanted.