An Ohio woman was shot and killed while waiting in line at a Taco Bell drive-thru with her dog on Wednesday night, then the gunman turned the gun on himself in a shocking murder-suicide.
Police said Megan Keleman was driving to order food from the fast food chain in Stow, Ohio, just before 7:20 p.m. when Jason Williams, 53, crashed into the back of her vehicle.
The 25-year-old man, who graduated from Cleveland State University in May, told a Taco Bell employee on speaker to call 911.
Stow Police Chief Jeffrey Film said at a news conference Thursday that Williams got out of his vehicle and shot Keleman before shooting himself. According to Cleveland 19.
Witnesses told detectives that the shooter began honking his horn at Keleman after Keleman pulled up in front of him in line at the drive-thru.
Keleman and Williams were pronounced dead at the scene.
of Summit County Coroner Both men were identified and it was noted that Keleman was a homicide victim, having died from a gunshot wound to the neck.
Williams’ cause of death was ruled a suicide by gunshot wound to the head.
“There is no information to suggest the two men knew each other,” Film said.
“As a police chief and a community leader, I want to say this is a true tragedy. Not only has the Keleman family lost a daughter, but our entire community has lost one of their daughters.”
During their investigation, police discovered that Keleman had called his father after being hit by a car. According to body camera footage obtained by the media outlet.
“We’ll answer the phone and be there right away,” Keleman’s father can be heard telling officers.
Police have yet to discover a motive for this tragic shooting, and “the reasons may never be known.”
Ms Keleman’s family said they were “enduring a very painful loss” following their daughter’s death.
“We appreciate the support from the community and ask that our request for privacy be respected so we can remain focused on supporting each other through this difficult time,” the family said in a statement.
Film said Williams has only one prior arrest for drunk driving, but he was arrested in April on multiple charges, including weapons possession.
According to court records reviewed by The Washington Post, the suspect was charged on April 14 with improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
He was released in May on $5,000 bail with the condition he not possess a firearm. WOIO reported.
Keleman earned her Master of Business Administration from CSU in May. She majored in finance and financial management services and was described as a “proactive leader on campus.”
She helped lead campus tours and organize student orientations around CSU and served as editor-in-chief of the university’s student newspaper, The Cauldron.
“Our deepest condolences go out to Megan’s family, friends and loved ones. We have lost a caring, engaged and positive member of the CSU community,” CSU Chancellor Dr. Laura Bloomberg said.
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or are in a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can receive free, confidential crisis counseling by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 988 or Suicide Prevention Lifeline.org.
