Ohio Nursing Home Shooting: Kirkersville Police Chief Killed

KIRKERSVILLE, OH — A gunman opened fire in a nursing home Friday morning, killing two employees and Kirkersville Police Chief Steven Eric Disario, who had taken over the job only about three weeks ago. The shooter was also found dead, apparently from shooting himself.

Disario was reportedly ambushed while responding to reports of the shooter at the nursing home, Pine Kirk Care Center, in the small village of Kirkersville, about 25 miles from Columbus. He was rushed to Licking Memorial Hospital, where he died, Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp told reporters Friday afternoon.

He had six children, and one more "on the way," Thorp said, adding that "it's a real hard day for all of us."

Police say the gunman had been in a wooded area behind the nursing home at about 8 a.m. and snatched two passersby, briefly holding them hostage. They escaped when the gunman fired at Disario.

Responding officers found the chief on the street, Thorp said, and then a call came in reporting a gunman at the nursing home.

Two employees of the center, both women, and the suspected gunman were found dead inside the building, the sheriff said. He said police did not know whether the gunman, who has not been identified, had some relationship with the nursing home or the women he shot.

Governor John Kasich has asked others to join him in prayers for the fallen officer. Kasich said on Twitter he was "shocked and pained by the horrific shooting in Kirkersville." Senator Sherrod Brown also took to Twitter to say the officer and the officer's family would be in his thoughts.

Nearby Kirkersville Elementary was on lockdown and is closed for the day. The students were still on buses when the situation developed. They were diverted to Watkins Middle School, the Newark Advocate reports.

The 23 residents of the nursing home, who barricaded themselves inside during the shooting, were moved so investigators can analyze the crime scene.

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available