Lorain City Hall was closed Thursday after three officers were wounded in an ambush-style shooting. One of the officers, Phillip Wagner, has died. Lucas Daprile

LORAIN, Ohio – Investigators continue to search for a reason why a Lorain man, loaded with guns and explosives, shot three police officers in an industrial park.

They also are seeking answers as to how Michael Parker, 28, knew two of the officers would be there for their lunch break, allowing him to ambush them in the remote area.

The questions continued Thursday, as Phillip Wagner, a three-year veteran of the department, died from the attack that has stunned the lakefront city.

Police said Parker sprayed rounds from a high-powered rifle at officers Wagner, Brent Payne and Peter Gale at the Colorado Avenue Industrial Park.

Wagner and Payne were flown to MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland in critical condition. They had been shot multiple times. A third officer, Peter Gale, was released from Mercy Health – Lorain Hospital.

On Thursday morning, the crime scene remained active, as an Elyria officer turned away a reporter who sought a closer look.

However, a key piece of information did surface Thursday after Lorain County Coroner Frank Miller conducted an autopsy. Parker had been killed by police gunfire, suffering about a dozen gunshot wounds, Miller said. Initially, police thought Parker may have died by suicide.

As of Thursday, Payne remained in the Cleveland hospital, Lorain Mayor Jack Bradley said.

“These were, all three, great officers,” Bradley said. “Never to my knowledge did they have any disciplinary action against them and were proud members of the Lorain Police Department.”

Authorities said Parker fired several rounds at the officers at about 1 p.m. as Wagner and Gale stopped to eat lunch in their cruisers. Payne was struck several times when he attempted to help his colleagues.

Officers found a large cache of explosives in Parker’s car, which a bomb squad safely detonated.

Lorain City Hall closed Thursday. Officers who left the station declined to speak with a reporter.

Flags flew at half-staff, and residents placed candles on a memorial statue for fallen officers outside the building. They also provided a steady stream of cookies, pizza, coffee and offers for free fast food.

Family members of officers have started fundraisers, as have other community members.

A message on the digital sign in front of City Hall asked residents to keep the police department in their thoughts and prayers.

“Our police officers place themselves in peril every day,” Bradley said. “When they leave home to go to work it could be their last day.”