Appleseed News

Tag: Officer-Involved Shooting

  • Armed Domestic Dispute in Bucyrus Ends in Officer-Involved Shooting

    Armed Domestic Dispute in Bucyrus Ends in Officer-Involved Shooting

    Sponsor

    BUCYRUS, Ohio — A domestic dispute in Bucyrus ended in an officer-involved shooting after a man barricaded himself inside a residence, allegedly fired at officers, and claimed to possess explosive materials, according to the Bucyrus Police Dept.

    Police said officers responded at approximately 10:21 p.m. Sunday to a domestic dispute call in the 900 block of East Warren Street. Upon arrival, officers reportedly observed a man inside the residence wearing body armor and carrying a firearm.

    The suspect was identified by police as 41-year-old Paul A. Desmarais of Bucyrus. Authorities said Desmarais barricaded himself inside the home while officers from multiple agencies attempted to negotiate with him.

    According to the department, negotiations continued for several hours into Monday. Police said officers also attempted to use less-lethal tactics during the standoff.

    Investigators stated that during the incident, the suspect threatened that he had an explosive device and fired multiple shots at officers. The confrontation ultimately resulted in an officer-involved shooting in which the suspect was fatally shot.

    Police later cleared the residence and said explosive materials were located and contained. Authorities reported there is no ongoing threat to public safety and that no officers were injured during the incident.

    The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office, Richland County Sheriff’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office, Mansfield Police Department, Lexington Police Department, Ontario Police Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Crawford County Coroner’s Office, and the Bucyrus Fire Department assisted at the scene.

    The incident remains under investigation.

    #image_title

    Image 1 of 14

    #image_title

    Sponsor
  • Woman Seriously Injured Pitbull Mix Attack Near Butler; Deputies Shoot Aggressive Animal

    Woman Seriously Injured Pitbull Mix Attack Near Butler; Deputies Shoot Aggressive Animal

    Sponsor

    BUTLER, Ohio — A 32-year-old woman was seriously injured in a dog attack Monday afternoon at a residence on Teeter Road, prompting deputies to use force against one of the animals in order to render aid, according to a report from the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.

    Deputies were dispatched around 1 p.m. on April 27, 2026, to 5019 Teeter Road after receiving reports that a woman had been mauled by dogs and that the animals were preventing anyone from reaching her. The victim, identified as Josie Paige Burwell, was found lying unresponsive on the front porch with severe lacerations to her neck.

    According to incident reports, two large dogs—a German shepherd and a mixed-breed dog described as a pit bull mix—were on or near the porch when deputies arrived. The brown mixed-breed dog had blood on its face and remained near the victim, at times standing over her and preventing access.

    Deputies initially attempted to control the situation using pepper spray, which caused the German shepherd to retreat but had limited effect on the second dog. As the animal continued to block access and behave aggressively, one deputy deployed a Taser. The dog was temporarily subdued but did not retreat and instead advanced toward officers.

    At that point, a deputy discharged a single round from his service weapon, striking the dog and eliminating the threat. Authorities said the use of force was necessary to protect deputies and allow immediate medical assistance to the victim.

    Once the scene was secured, deputies began providing emergency aid. The victim was found to have significant bleeding from both sides of her neck. Officers applied pressure to the wounds until emergency medical personnel arrived. She was transported by Worthington Fire EMS to OhioHealth Mansfield Hospital.

    Hospital staff later reported that Burwell was sedated and intubated but listed in stable condition.

    Investigators said the attack began when the two larger dogs were reportedly attacking a smaller dog on the property, described as a miniature poodle. The victim attempted to intervene and stop the attack, at which point she was bitten.

    The dog that was shot, identified by witnesses as “Clyde,” reportedly belonged to the victim and was described as a rescue animal weighing over 100 pounds. The German shepherd was not reported to have been injured.

    No charges have been filed at this time, and the case remains under investigation. Detective Joshua Dawson has been assigned to lead the ongoing inquiry.

    Authorities have not released additional details regarding the dogs’ history or whether any prior incidents had been reported.

    Sponsor