One year after an Akron police officer shot him multiple times, including in the chest, outside of an Ellet bar, Corey Phillips filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Akron and the police officer who shot him.
Officer Caleb Bodjanac fired his Glock 45 at least 15 times after responding to 911 calls Nov. 11, 2025, that Phillips was armed and belligerently threatening patrons inside Karam’s Lounge and in the parking lot of the business plaza after he was kicked out of the bar.
Phillips was unarmed, though, and appeared confused as Bodjanac ordered him to the ground and then shot Phillips as he appeared to reach inside his coat. A Karam’s Lounge bartender, in a frantic 911 call, and others reported Phillips had a gun and threatened to use it…