Two people killed in Middletown shooting involving police officers identified
Ronald Hazen Kerr, 60, and Consuelo D. Kerr, 53, died from gun shot wounds, according to the coroner's office.
Around 4:42 p.m. Sunday, Middletown police responded to a residence in the 3000 block of Mohawk Street following reports of a woman suffering from a gunshot wound allegedly inflicted by her husband, according to a press release from the city.
Upon arrival, the city said officers announced their presence and identified themselves as police officers. While negotiating with the male suspect, the suspect allegedly discharged his weapon at the officers.
In response, the city release said officers returned fire, striking the suspect. Upon entering the residence, officers found both the man and woman dead.
Parallel investigations are underway regarding their deaths, according to Butler County Prosecutor Mike Gmoser.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations will conduct an independent investigation into the officer-involved shooting, and Gmoser will present evidence to a Butler County grand jury.
Middletown police are investigating the homicide that led to the call, which resulted in the death of the homicide suspect and his alleged victim.
"The fellow who was shot obviously did not heed the warning that I gave in my last press release," Gmoser told Journal-News. "You point a gun at a police officer, you're going to be dead."
In late May, there was an officer-involved shooting in Middletown, which resulted in the death of Michael Anthony Baker, 47, of Middletown. Police were cleared of wrongdoing in this case by a Butler County grand jury.
"This case should serve as fair warning to all offenders involved in criminal activities that pointing a firearm at a police officer in the performance of his duties will be met with lethal and justified use of force to eliminate the threat," Gmoser said of the ruling.
Though this is the second Middletown officer-involved shooting in about two months, Gmoser said the incidents are "random."
"There is no systemic problem in Middletown with respect to officer-involved shooting cases," he said.
Gmoser praised Middletown Police Chief Earl Nelson for calling in BCI to handle the officer-involved part of the investigation.
"Chief Nelson acted very, very swiftly. He heeds that advice, always," Gmoser said.
Investigators were on the scene after 9 p.m., collecting evidence from the Mohawk Street home.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
an hour ago
- CBS News
Two men missing from Inland Empire were members of same religious organization, investigators say
Investigators have released new details as they continue their search for a missing Tennessee man who was last seen at a coffee shop in Redlands in 2023. They say that they are now looking into the disappearance as a homicide. Emilio Salem Ghanem, who is believed to be in his mid-40s, was reported missing shortly after he visited a Starbucks on Redlands Boulevard on May 25, 2023, according to the Redlands Police Department. "A rented Nissan Frontier pickup that Ghanem was driving was spotted on surveillance video later that day in Grand Terrace," the release said. "Detectives have since recovered the rental truck along with other evidence." Police say that he rented the vehicle from a location in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is described as standing about 5-foot-7 and weighing approximately 130 pounds with hazel eyes and black hair. He was 40 at the time of his disappearance, police said. Police say that Ghanem was a member of "His Way Spirit Led Assemblies," a religious organization based in Hemet. They say that he left the organization shortly before he disappeared, and that he also worked for Fullshield, Inc. a pest control business owned and operated by the religious group. The business now operates under the name Maxguard, police said. While looking into his disappearance, RPD detectives learned that another man who was a member of His Way Spirit Led Assemblies was also reported missing in recent years. That case is being investigated by Claremont Police Department, who say that 49-year-old Ruben Moreno was reported missing in August 2019 and has not been seen since. They noted that he was also a member of the same religious organization as Ghanem. Moreno is described as standing 5-foot-6 and weighing about 180 pounds. He has brown eyes and black hair. Anyone who knows more is urged to contact RPD at (909) 551-4424 or CPD at (909) 399-5411.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cleveland Guardians Reporter Believes Emmanuel Clase, Luis Ortiz's MLB Careers are Likely Over
Cleveland Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase was the subject of MLB trade rumors for weeks leading up to last weekend. Now, days after being placed on paid leave due to a betting investigation, there seems to be a chance his major-league career could be over. Guardians reporter Zack Meisel of The Athletic reported Friday that the lockers for Clase and teammate Luis Ortiz were cleared out in the Guardians' clubhouse. The moves came just hours after Meisel expressed on 92.3 The Fan his belief that the MLB careers of Clase and Ortiz are likely over. 'I have a hard time envisioning them ever pitching in Major League Baseball again, honestly. I don't want to speculate on what the investigation might end up proving or disproving but there was a player banned from baseball a year ago and it was much less than this…This is two pitchers who had the ball in their hand and if you can't trust that, there's not a spot for you…I have a really hard time picturing any scenario where they're back pitching.' Zack Meisel on Cleveland Guardians relievers In 2024, Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban from Major League Baseball after an investigation found he placed hundreds of bets on baseball games, including some involving the team he played for (Pittsburgh Pirates). Emmanuel Clase contract (): $4.9 million salary (2025), $6.4 million salary (2026), $10 million club options (2027-'28) When Ortiz was placed under investigation on July 3, The Athletic reported that the Guardians' reliever was flagged for a higher-than-usual amount of bets placed on two specific pitches. The first occurred in the second inning against the Seattle Mariners on June 15, and the second was the first pitch in the third inning of a June 27 game versus the St. Louis Cardinals. In both cases, the pitches were well outside the strike zone. On July 18, MLB extended Ortiz's paid leave through August 31. No details have emerged regarding the league's investigation into Clase, although ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that it is 'tied into the investigation' involving Ortiz. Both pitchers remain on non-disciplinary paid leave through at least the end of August. Emmanuel Clase stats (): 3.23 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 47-12 K-BB in 47.1 innings pitched Clase, age 27, is a three-time All-Star and has led the American League in saves for the last three seasons. The right-handed closer won the AL Reliever of the Year Award in 2022 and 2024. While MLB players are permitted to bet on sports other than baseball, Rule 21(a) in the MLB rulebook states that any player or person connected with a club who 'fails to give his best efforts towards the winning of any baseball game with which he is or may be in any way concerned' shall be declared permanently ineligible. If MLB's investigation finds that a pitcher intentionally threw a pitch to influence a prop bet, that would be a direct violation of Rule 21. The NBA experienced a similar issue last year when forward Jontay Porter received a lifetime ban after an investigation found he disclosed confidential health information before a game, enabling a bettor to turn an $80,000 parlay bet into $1.1 million. Porter pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in July 2024. MLB's investigation into Ortiz and Clase remains ongoing, with no timeline for resolution. Given that both players' lockers were cleared out, it is at least likely that neither will return this season. Related Headlines ESPN's Jeff Passan Torches 'Bitter' Ex-MLB Player in Brutal Social Media Exchange Post-Trade Deadline MLB Power Rankings: Mets and Padres Surge After Busy Week Report: Boston Red Sox's Craig Breslow Most Hated GM in MLB Giants Training Camp Standouts: Abdul Carter Lives Up to Hype, Russell Wilson Looks Sharp
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cincinnati official under fire for celebrating brutal attack: ‘They begged for that beat down!
After sickening viral videos captured a brawl in the heart of downtown Cincinnati on Friday night, an Ohio city councilmember disturbingly claimed the victims were asking to be assaulted during the ruthless mob attack. 'They asked for that beatdown,' Cincinnati Councilwoman Victoria Parks replied to video of the July 27 brawl on Facebook, claiming she had the 'whole story.' The 67-year-old Democrat angered Cincinnati's police union boss, who blasted Parks for the comments and called for her resignation. It remains unclear what sparked the brawl— but witnesses told WXIX that one of the groups made racial comments before the blows started, though it is also unclear who the initial aggressors were.
