Ronald Hazen Kerr dies in fatal Middletown shooting
Fatal Middletown shooting death of Ronald Hazen Kerr
Butler County’s medical examiner has officially confirmed the identity of the deceased male involved in the recent incident. Ronald Hazen Kerr, a sixty-year-old man, is identified as the person who caused the death of his female companion. His wife, Consuelo D. Kerr, a fifty-three-year-old woman, has been named as the other victim who lost her life in the same event.
According to local law enforcement, officers from Middletown were called to a residence on Mohawk Street around 4:42 PM on July 13 after receiving a distress call about a violent family dispute escalating to gunfire. Upon their arrival, the officers discovered that the homeowner, Ronald Hazen Kerr, had already shot his wife. As the situation unfolded, the suspect turned his weapon toward the responding officers, prompting them to defend themselves.
A representative for the police union stated that the officers attempted to negotiate with the suspect but were forced to use lethal force after he continued to pose a direct threat. Following the incident, the two officers involved in the exchange were placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
The Butler County Coroner has conducted autopsies on both victims, and the official cause of death for each was determined to be injuries from firearms. While Consuelo D. Kerr’s death has been classified as a homicide, Ronald Hazen Kerr’s status is still under examination by the coroner.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations has been notified to conduct a full probe into the circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting, including the initial domestic incident and the officers’ response.
