Crime
Update on Darke County fatal shooting and crash incident, victim and suspect identified
Greenville, OH – March 2025 – Following further investigation and information released by Darke County Coroner Dr. Susan Brown, Sheriff Mark Whittaker has provided an updated account of the violent events that unfolded on Thursday, resulting in a double homicide and a high-speed chase ending in a fatal crash.
Authorities now confirm that Josiah “Joe” Maloon, 57, of 2535 State Route 571, Greenville, OH, brutally beat and fatally shot his wife, Juanita Maloon, 53, at their residence.
The Darke County Coroner’s Office has ruled Juanita Maloon’s cause of death as a homicide due to a gunshot wound to the head.
At approximately 2:15 p.m., Randy Ward II, 47, of Ansonia, OH, arrived at the Maloon residence at the request of Joe Maloon for a transaction.
Upon arrival, Ward followed Maloon’s instructions to retrieve cash from his vehicle.
It was at this moment that Joe Maloon emerged from his home and opened fire, discharging multiple rounds at Ward.
Ward attempted to escape by running to his vehicle, but was struck by gunfire multiple times. Despite his injuries, he managed to flee in his Dodge Challenger.
Joe Maloon pursued him in a Nissan Pathfinder SUV, continuing to fire shots while also ramming Ward’s vehicle in an attempt to force him off the road.
The high-speed pursuit ended when both vehicles crashed into opposite fields.
Maloon’s SUV overturned multiple times, ejecting him from the vehicle.
He was found unconscious and unresponsive at the scene and was later declared deceased due to injuries sustained in the crash.
Meanwhile, Ward, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, was treated at the scene and airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital via CareFlight.
His current condition remains unknown.
Investigators recovered a handgun near Maloon at the crash scene, which is believed to be the weapon used in both the murder of Juanita Maloon and the attempted murder of Randy Ward.
Further forensic analysis will be conducted to confirm this finding.
Additionally, spent shell casings and a white powdery substance in packaging were discovered in the driveway of 2535 State Route 571, where the initial shooting occurred.
These items will be forensically examined to determine their nature and relevance to the case.
The Darke County Sheriff’s Office and multiple other law enforcement agencies responded to two separate but connected crime scenes:
9600 block of Coletown-Lightsville Road – Location of the vehicle pursuit and crash where Maloon was ejected and found deceased.
2500 block of State Route 571 – Maloon residence, where deputies discovered the body of Juanita Maloon.
A heavy police presence was reported at both locations, with at least a dozen police cruisers and emergency personnel on scene.
The initial 911 call was made around 2:30 p.m. by Randy Ward, who reported being chased and shot multiple times.
He informed dispatchers that his friend had opened fire on him at the residence and was actively pursuing him while continuing to shoot and ram his vehicle.
Sheriff Mark Whittaker stated that, based on the evidence and ongoing investigation, Joe Maloon was the primary threat and no additional suspects are being sought.
Authorities have assured the public that there is no further danger to the community.
The case remains under active investigation, and further details will be released as they become available.
MT. JULIET, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two victims killed during an active shooter incident at Cedar Creek Marina in Mt. Juliet late Friday night.
The suspect, identified as Gary Haley, a convicted felon with an extensive criminal history, is deceased following an officer-involved shooting, officials confirmed.
Mount Juliet Police officers were dispatched at approximately 9:30 p.m. Friday to the Cedar Creek Marina, located in the 9000 block of Saundersville Road, after receiving reports of a man threatening another individual on the docks.
Due to the active shooter report, a shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as a precaution.
Upon arrival, officers located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound.
The victim was later identified as Robby Brogdon, who was transported to a local hospital for emergency medical treatment.
Despite life-saving efforts, Brogdon later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators determined that the suspected shooter had retreated to a boat within the marina and had barricaded himself inside.
The standoff continued for several hours as officers secured the scene and attempted to resolve the situation safely.
At approximately 1:00 a.m. Saturday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) reported that the suspect engaged responding officers and fired shots at them under circumstances that remain under investigation. Officers returned fire.
The suspect, Gary Haley, was later found deceased aboard the vessel.
During the course of the response, officers also discovered a second adult male victim, Nathan Jones, who had been shot by the suspect.
Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has assumed responsibility for the investigation, which includes a homicide, an attempted homicide, and an officer-involved shooting.
TBI agents are actively conducting interviews, collecting evidence, and working to establish a comprehensive timeline of events.
Upon completion of the investigation, findings will be submitted to 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson for review.
Authorities stated that additional information will be released as it becomes available.