Police say that an inebriated subject had started to harass participants of an informal car show that was in the parking lot of the store. Officer Dia was the first officer on the scene and attempted to contact the subject. The man produced a handgun and opened fire, striking Officer Dia in the chest. Despite his wounds, Officer Dia was able to return fire as the man fled.
The subject fled into a nearby wooded area where he committed suicide.
Officer Dia had served with the Toledo Police Department for two years and is survived by his wife, two sons, and his parents.