Authorities say a woman is recovering after she was injured in an apparent shooting early Sunday morning by her ex-boyfriend in Tuscarawas County.
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office said the incident was reported around 6:40 a.m. when the woman arrived at the Uhrichsville Police Department with a bleeding head wound. She told officers she had just been shot at by her ex-boyfriend on Edie Hill Road in Mill Township.
According to the sheriff’s office, the woman stated she was driving along Edie Hill Road when the man used his vehicle to block her path. When she stopped, he exited his vehicle and began firing what she described as a long gun. Multiple rounds struck her vehicle, including several that went through the windshield. Investigators believe the woman may have been injured by a bullet, a bullet fragment, or shrapnel. They’ll know for sure once the piece is removed from the victim’s head.
She fled the scene by accelerating her vehicle and striking the suspect’s truck. The suspect reportedly reached into her vehicle and took her phone during the incident, which is why she did not call 911 and instead drove directly to the police station for help, Sheriff Orvis Campbell told JMN.
The woman was transported by ambulance to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital and was listed in stable condition.
Detectives Sgt. Ryan Hamilton, Sgt. Ed Jones and Sgt. Cole Morris, along with uniformed deputies, responded to multiple locations to gather evidence. Authorities identified the suspect as a 44-year-old man from Feed Springs Road in Mill Township, who fled the area after the shooting.
A “be on the lookout” alert was issued for the suspect’s black Ford F-150. At 7:21 a.m., Cadiz Police located the vehicle on U.S. Route 22 and initiated a traffic stop. The Harrison County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol assisted. The suspect, who had his two teenage sons with him at the time, complied with officers and was taken into custody without incident.
Both vehicles were towed to the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office for processing. A search warrant executed at the suspect’s home uncovered firearms, ammunition, and other evidence supporting the victim’s account. Authorities also confirmed that a protection order was in place against the suspect, with the victim listed as a protected individual—making it illegal for him to possess any firearms.
The man is currently being held in the Tuscarawas County Jail on a charge related to violating the protection order. Additional felony charges are expected pending review by the Tuscarawas County Prosecutor’s Office.
The two teenage boys were released to the care of a family member after consultation with Tuscarawas County Job and Family Services.
The names of both the victim and the suspect are being withheld—hers for privacy and his until formal charges are filed.
“This case could have ended much worse,” said Sheriff Orvis L. Campbell.
The sheriff’s office thanked the Uhrichsville Police Department, Cadiz Police Department, Harrison County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Southern District Court Probation, and Rosenberry Towing for their assistance.
Additional details are expected to be released at a later time.
