Youth held in shotgun deaths of his aunt and grandmother

Youth held in shooting deaths

By Brad Bauer, bbauer@mariettatimes.com


A 12-year-old Lower Salem boy is in custody today and is expected to be charged with murder in connection with the shotgun-shooting deaths of his aunt and grandmother late Monday afternoon.

Washington County Sheriff's Office detectives said Christopher Sturm opened fire on his family members around 5 p.m. Killed was Nancy Tidd, 61, and Emma Tidd, 40, both of 4865 Highland Ridge Road.
"From the information we have, the boy was upset at the grandmother and that led to the shooting," said Detective Jeff Seevers.

Seevers said the boy retrieved a single shot .410 gauge shotgun from another room in the home and shot both women in the head. There was no sign of a struggle. The shotgun is believed to belong to the grandmother's longtime companion, John Francis Russell.

Detectives declined to say how many shots were fired.

"His grandmother was unable to even get up and defend herself because of a medical condition," Seevers said. "And the other woman had some mental disabilities and was living with her mother."

Seevers said the crime was reported after a family member came to the home to check on the welfare of the two women.

"(Nancy Tidd's) live-in boyfriend became concerned after he couldn't get through on the phone from work," Seevers said. "Another family member came over and discovered the bodies."

Sturm was located about six miles away at his mother's residence on Ohio 145 in Lower Salem. He was taken into custody and transported to the Washington County Juvenile Center. The youth spent time living with both his mother and grandmother, investigators said.

Seevers said the boy initially denied being involved in the shootings, but later admitted to killing his family members. Washington County Prosecutor Michael Spahr said early today he expects to charge Sturm with both aggravated murder and murder counts for each of the victims.

A detention hearing is expected to be held today in Washington County Juvenile Court. Further details weren't available at press time.

Under Ohio law, juveniles charged with serious offenses who are 14 years old or older can sometimes can be charged as adults.

Washington County Sheriff Robert Schlicher said the boy is suspected in a recent sexual assault, too.

"We've had run-ins with him in the past," Schlicher said. "He has other criminal charges pending against him stemming from other incidents, including rape."

Seevers said the boy was also suspected of being involved in drugs, although it was unclear if he was under the influence of anything at the time of the shooting.

"He was possibly involved in some drug use - huffing gas," Seevers said.

Deputies processed evidence at the family's white mobile home until 4:30 a.m. and were expected to return by 8 a.m. to continue their investigation. The bodies were removed from the residence and taken to the Montgomery County Coroner's Office where autopsies will be conducted, Seevers said.

Patrick Grosklos, a resident of Highland Ridge Road, said the killings were shocking. The rural neighborhood typically is quiet with few problems.

"It's hard to believe," Grosklos said.

Grosklos said the killings did not make him feel unsafe, but he will be more vigilant.

"We always lock up anyway, but it makes me want to keep my eyes open a little more when people are driving back and forth. I'll probably be a little more leery of strange vehicles," Grosklos said.

http://www.mariettatimes.com/news/story/1123202004_new01youth23.asp

This is a horrible tragedy from every angle. Our stupid local repug "news" rag featured an online poll asking if this kid should be tried as an adult. 78% of the respondants, when I read it, said yes. :-(

I didn't think the story would create any attention outside of Washington County. For years it seems like this part of Ohio is in a fold of the map (like Lake Wobegon) -- it is a real shame, the loss of life, and the boy's life is over.

reading the news these days is like watching a snuff flick in 3D . . .