Bond set at $3M for police shooting suspect Gerry Branner

CINCINNATI - The latest suspect arrested for a gun battle with a police officer in Avondale appeared in court Friday morning and is being held on a $3 million bond.

Gerry Branner, 22, was arraigned Friday and charged with murder, felonious assault and carrying a concealed weapon in connection with the Nov. 21 incident.

Also, Branner was arraigned on charges of assault, trafficking in drugs, carrying a concealed weapon, criminal damaging, unauthorized use of property and other charges stemming from open warrants for past incidents.

Branner was arrested Thursday in Colerain Township.

He is being held in the Hamilton County Justice Center in lieu of a $3 million bond. A judge set the high amount because Branner allegedly shot at Cincinnati police Officer Orlando Smith in the Nov. 21 incident.

Branner’s attorney, Mark Eppley, has said the amount is too high.

Smith shot and killed Dontez Oneal on Nov. 21 after Oneal, 19, allegedly fired a gun at the officer

The shooting occurred after undercover police officers said they bought heroin from Robert "Bobby" Mathews in Winton Terrace on Wednesday afternoon. Mathews, 23, lives in Avondale and is described by police as a prominent gang member involved in drug activity throughout the city.

The undercover officers followed a car that allegedly contained Mathews, Oneal and Branner from Winton Terrace to Avondale. That's when they requested a uniformed officer to stop the suspects, Whalen said.

Smith attempted to stop the car on Burton Avenue. The vehicle made a U-turn and attempted to leave, but Smith's cruiser blocked its exit. At that point, Oneal allegedly pointed a gun at Smith and fired, but missed the officer.

Police said Branner also fired a gun in the incident.

Mathews was arrested Nov. 22.