Eight killed, one injured in Ohio shooting spree

COPLEY TOWNSHIP, OHIO (BNO NEWS) — An Ohio gunman on Sunday killed seven people during a violent shooting spree before he was shot dead by local police, officials said Monday.

Police Chief Michael Mier told Fox 8 that the gunman opened fire in Copley, Ohio on Sunday at around 11 a.m. local time during an argument at a local home on Goodenough Avenue. According to reports, the gunman shot his girlfriend, then went next door to shoot her brother and four other people.

The media outlet said he continued the shooting spree by searching for those who had fled when he opened fire, chasing at least two others through backyards before shooting one of them outside a home near Schocalog Road. The gunman later shot down another victim who had sought refuge at another house in the neighborhood.

During the shooting spree, the unidentified gunman shot at a local citizen and former police officer, as well as a Copley police officer. The two men returned fire and shot the man dead. Among the seven fatal victims was an 11-year-old boy, while an eighth victim was shot and reportedly being treated at a the Akron General Hospital’s intensive care unit.

The victims’ bodies were found in four different locations within a two-block area between the two streets. Their identities have not been formally released until their family members are informed, but WEWS 5 reported that among the victims was 17-year-old Autumn Johnson, a Copley High School student, her grandfather Russ Johnson, her grandmother Gertie Johnson, Brian Johnson, one of Russ and Gertie’s son, and 11-year-old Scotty Deiter. The eighth victim being treated at the hospital was reportedly a woman.

Local police cordoned off the streets where the shootings took place and advised residents to avoid entering the area. A prayer and vigil for the victims was carried out on Sunday evening at Copley Community Park where over 100 people gathered.