Days after a man died following a chaotic series of events to end to Easter Day, Tuscarawas County officials has released more information to JMN.
The individual involved in a fatal incident has been identified as Matthew Flynn, 34, from Richfield, Ohio. His cause of death has been confirmed as a gunshot injury, according to Tuscarawas County Coroner Dr. Jeff Cameron. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification has taken charge of the ongoing investigation.
The initial confrontation occurred late Sunday night in New Philadelphia, resulting in Flynn’s dead and leaving a Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Deputy injured after a struggle. Deputies had responded to reports of a vehicle crashing into a home at 8th Street NE and Fair Avenue.
Sheriff Orvis Campbell reported that during the encounter, the suspect managed to flee in the Sheriff’s cruiser after a struggle that led to shots being fired. The cruiser was later crashed into a parked car at Tell Street and East High, causing significant damage to both vehicles.
Following the crash, Flynn was taken to Union Hospital with injuries and was later pronounced dead. Sheriff Campbell described the incident as complex, involving multiple crime scenes and a deputy-involved shooting. The Deputy’s injuries were noted as non-life threatening.
The investigation is ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident, with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification leading the efforts.