Stow police offer new details on suspected murder-suicide at Taco Bell
STOW, Ohio (WJW) — Authorities on Thursday said they may never know the motive behind a suspected murder-suicide Wednesday evening outside the Taco Bell along Graham Road in Cuyahoga Falls.
Police responded to a report of a shooting just before 7:30 p.m. There, they found two people shot in the drive-thru. Both were pronounced dead at the scene.
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Suspected murder-suicide outside Taco Bell in Stow: I-Team
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office on Thursday identified the victim as Megan E. Keleman, 25, of Stow, whose death has been ruled a homicide caused by gunshot wounds to the neck; and the reported shooter as Jason S. Williams, 53, of Cuyahoga Falls, whose death has been ruled a suicide by a gunshot wound to the head.
Witnesses told detectives that Keleman pulled in front of Williams in the drive-thru line. Williams then blew his horn and struck the rear of her vehicle. Keleman then asked Taco Bell employees to call police.
Witnesses said Williams then got out of the car, shot Keleman, then himself.
A police reports lists the firearm as a .40-caliber Sig Sauer P229.
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Police currently don’t have any indication that the two knew each other, Film said.
“This is a true tragedy,” he said. “Not only have the Kelemans lost a daughter, but we as a community lost one of our daughters.
“We do not at this time have any answer for why this happened and we may never know why.”
According to her social media posts, Megan Keleman had just finished her MBA at Cleveland State University.
She also spent the last two years working at Shelter Care, Inc. in Tallmadge, a drop-in center for runaway, homeless and at-risk youth.
Four killed in 3 separate crashes on Ohio Turnpike
As for Jason Williams, Summit County Court records show he was arrested in Hudson in March for OVI, open container and improper handling of a firearm in a vehicle.
He was terminated from the alcohol monitoring program at Oriana House for failing to show up.
By court order Williams was not allowed to possess a gun.
“It appears the person was in crisis. I don’t think we’ll ever be able to explain the motivation behind his decision-making,” Film said.
Police believe Keleman and Williams were the only two people involved in the incident. A dog that was in Keleman’s car was turned over to animal rescuers who bathed and cared for the dog until it was returned to its family on Wednesday night, Film said.
Keleman’s family issued a statement on Thursday that reads:
In light of the recent events, our family is enduring an immensely painful loss of Megan Elizabeth Keleman. We kindly ask for the media and the public’s understanding for our privacy during this difficult time. We appreciate the community’s support and hope that our request for privacy will be honored so we can continue to focus on supporting each other through this difficult period.
The family of Megan Keleman
Film said the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called to help police process the crime scene. Homicides are rare in Stow — the last one was several years ago, he added.
A spokesperson from Taco Bell also issued a statement:
We are shocked to hear that this happened. The franchise owner and operator of this location has informed us that they are working with the local authorities in their investigation of this customer incident and that they will be offering support to all team members present.
Taco Bell Corp.
The city is nestled between Kent and Akron and home to about 34,000 people, according to Census data.
“Our community is a great community, a safe community. … This is just a tragic event we’re dealing with now and trying to understand,” Film said.
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