A 46-year-old Canton man is facing multiple felony charges, including attempted aggravated murder, after authorities say he fired gunshots in the direction of law enforcement officers early Friday morning near Bolivar Dam in Tuscarawas County.
Bill D. McIntyre, 46, of Canton, has been charged with attempted aggravated murder, attempted murder, attempted felonious assault and having weapons under disability, according to an updated news release issued Friday, Oct. 16, by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident began around 1:33 a.m. Friday when the Tuscarawas County 911 dispatch center received a call from a resident along Glenpark Road NE in the Wilkshire Hills area of Lawrence Township.
The resident reported that an unfamiliar man had knocked on his door before continuing to walk toward Bolivar Dam.
Minutes later, dispatchers received another call from a Canton woman who reported she had dropped off the father of her child at the Speedway gas station in Wilkshire Hills.
The woman told authorities the man had been experiencing a crisis the previous night and had walked away from the gas station. She also warned that he might have a firearm, could be under the influence of drugs and might be suicidal.
Multiple sheriff’s deputies responded to the area and began searching for the man.
While searching, deputies heard gunshots and believed at least some of the rounds were being fired in their direction, according to Sheriff Orvis Campbell.
Troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s New Philadelphia post were called to assist.
As one trooper arrived, deputies reported hearing another gunshot and believed the bullet passed close to law enforcement officers.
The sheriff’s office drone team was also responding to assist with the search.
A short time later, authorities spotted McIntyre walking toward law enforcement officers while carrying a small semiautomatic handgun.
Officers ordered him to the ground, and he complied. McIntyre was taken into custody without further incident, and the handgun was recovered.
According to Campbell, McIntyre appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance based on his behavior and statements.
McIntyre reportedly told authorities he believed someone was chasing him. Investigators said he had made similar statements to the resident whose door he had knocked on earlier that morning.
McIntyre was evaluated by emergency medical personnel following his arrest.
In an updated release issued Friday morning, Capt. Adam G. Fisher identified McIntyre and confirmed that four felony charges had been filed:
- Attempted aggravated murder: First-degree felony.
- Attempted murder: First-degree felony.
- Attempted felonious assault: Second-degree felony.
- Having weapons under disability: Third-degree felony.
No injuries were reported to McIntyre or responding law enforcement officers.
Campbell praised the deputies’ handling of the incident, emphasizing that a potentially deadly confrontation ended without anyone being injured.
Authorities have not disclosed how many shots were fired or whether investigators recovered additional evidence from the scene.
The investigation remains ongoing.
