Bodycam footage has revealed a tense confrontation between Mackenzie Shirilla’s parents and police after her November 2022 arrest on double murder charges. During the exchange, her father, Steve Shirilla, called his daughter “dumb” while demanding to speak with her.
Heated Station-House Confrontation
Mackenzie, then 18, had just been taken into custody by the Strongsville Police Department for her role in a fiery car crash that killed her ex-boyfriend, Dominic Russo, and friend Davion Flanagan. Video shows her father angrily gesturing at officers and asking to speak to his daughter.
“I need to speak to my daughter, because you guys aren’t allowed to speak to her at all – that’s from the lawyer,” Steve told a police official, pacing the lobby. When officers explained she could not take calls as an adult in custody, Steve reportedly snapped, saying, “Yeah, she’s a dumb 18-year-old that just turned 18.”
Mackenzie’s mother, Natalie Shirilla, attempted to intervene, chuckling and saying, “Stop saying she’s dumb,” but Steve doubled down, claiming all kids are “dumb” and that officers would take advantage of her.
Dispute Over Arrest Procedure
Steve also criticized the police for executing the arrest warrant immediately after it was signed, despite officers explaining it was standard procedure.
He mimicked making a phone call, saying, “We would’ve brought her right down here no problem,” while expressing disbelief at how the arrest was handled. He also labeled the arresting officer outside their home a “creeper.”
The police remained firm, with one officer calmly responding, “We follow the law – that’s what we’re doing today.”
Mackenzie Shirilla’s Conviction
Mackenzie, now 20, was found guilty in August 2023 of intentionally driving her car into a brick wall, killing Dominic Russo and Davion Flanagan. She is serving two concurrent 15 years to life sentences in an Ohio women’s prison and is appealing her conviction for the second time.
Parents’ Public Backlash
Steve and Natalie Shirilla have faced criticism for their reactions to Mackenzie’s crimes. The new Netflix documentary, “The Crash,” highlights their comments, including Steve defending her marijuana use during her teens: “I knew she was smoking dope – I don’t have a problem with her smoking dope…she’s not shooting up.”
Shortly after the documentary’s release, Steve was suspended from his teaching job at a Pre-K through eighth grade school near Cleveland over alleged “poor judgement.” He has since criticized the film’s editing, claiming not all of his statements were included, but continues to assert that both he and Natalie believe their daughter is innocent.
