Crime
Man Charged in Fatal Shooting of Dayton Woman in Miamisburg Following 13-Hour Manhunt
A 32-year-old man accused of fatally shooting a Dayton woman inside a Miamisburg home, prompting a 13-hour manhunt, has been formally charged.
Dametrius Turner, 32, faces multiple charges, including:
- Two counts of murder
- Two counts of felonious assault
- One count each of grand theft, tampering with evidence, and aggravated possession of drugs
- One misdemeanor count of assault
The charges were filed in Miamisburg Municipal Court, according to court records.
The fatal shooting occurred on Wednesday, March 13, at approximately 9:27 p.m. when Miamisburg police responded to a residence in the 700 block of Golden Arrow Court.
According to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch records, a male resident of the home called 911, reporting:
“The guy shot his girlfriend in my basement, and he’s got a gun.”
The caller stated that Turner asked for his help before fleeing the home. He left the house with his dog and called 911 from another location.
During police interviews, the caller said he was in his bedroom when he heard several slapping sounds coming from the basement.
Shortly after, Turner came upstairs and allegedly confessed, saying:
“I messed up, and I need help.”
The man told investigators that although Turner did not explicitly say what had happened, he suspected foul play after hearing five or six gunshots.
Responding officers discovered 52-year-old Leslie Ross face down in a pool of blood in the basement’s lounge area. She had been shot five times.
Another resident, who was showering in the basement at the time, later told police that he heard Ross scream:
“Don’t do it! No!”
He initially thought the noise was slapping sounds but later realized it was gunfire.
Investigators recovered four shell casings from the scene.
Police quickly identified Turner as a suspect and issued a public alert requesting assistance in locating him.
Following an intensive 13-hour manhunt, Turner was apprehended at 12:16 p.m. Thursday in West Carrollton.
A couple walking near South Elm Street and West Blossom Hill Road recognized Turner from social media posts about the suspect and immediately notified police.
“They saw the post, recognized him, and called for help. We can’t thank them enough for coming forward,” said Miamisburg Police Chief Mike Brem.
Upon arrest, Turner was found in possession of suspected methamphetamine. However, the murder weapon was not located on him at the time of his capture.
Police also noted that Turner did not have the backpack or coat he was last seen wearing when he fled the crime scene.
Authorities confirmed that neither Turner nor Ross were permanent residents of the Golden Arrow Court home but had been staying there temporarily.
Ross was originally from Dayton, while Turner had previously lived in Indiana and other states. Although they were acquainted, details regarding how and when they met remain unclear.
The case remains under investigation by the Miamisburg Police Department. Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact law enforcement.
Crime
Milton Shooting Suspect Made Threats to Police and Posted Concerning Messages Online Prior to Ambush
Gunman took his life while barricaded inside home.
UPDATE: A gunman is dead and a veteran Milton Police officer is wounded this evening after public safety agencies responded to a structure fire on Main Street in Milton, officials said.
The gunman, identified as Aaron LaRoche, 38, of Milton is believed to have taken his own life about 11 p.m., about four hours after he ambushed Patrol Sgt. Paul Locke, officials said.
MILTON, VT — Authorities have identified the individual involved in Wednesday evening’s ambush shooting of a Milton police officer as Aaron LaRoche, a 38-year-old Milton resident with a documented history of mental health concerns and prior threats against law enforcement.
LaRoche is alleged to have opened fire on first responders during a public safety operation at a structure fire at 78 Main Street around 7:00 p.m.
The incident left Sergeant Paul Locke, a veteran of the Milton Police Department, wounded.
He was transported by Milton Rescue with a police escort to the University of Vermont Medical Center, where he remains under medical care.
Initial reports indicate Sgt. Locke was shot from behind while wearing a bullet-resistant vest.
It is also believed that he sustained a gunshot wound to the leg.
Authorities have described his injuries as serious but not life-threatening.
LaRoche, who remains barricaded inside the residence, is known to local law enforcement.
He has a documented history of erratic behavior and has been the subject of multiple online posts that raised red flags among community members and officers.
In the months leading up to the shooting, LaRoche had made several alarming posts on social media platforms, many of which directly tagged Milton Police Department and the Vermont State Police (VSP).
These posts included threats and references to hearing voices, claiming he was under mind control.
The content had been a growing concern for authorities and the public alike.
“This individual had been on our radar due to troubling and threatening behavior online,” a law enforcement official noted. “It’s tragic that those warnings have culminated in violence.”
Following the ambush, the Vermont State Police took command of the active scene.
Multiple agencies are assisting in the ongoing operation, including:
- VSP Major Crime Unit
- Bureau of Criminal Investigations
- Field Force Division
- Tactical Services Unit (SWAT)
- Bomb Squad
- Crisis Negotiation Unit
- Local, county, and federal partners
The situation remains contained to the immediate area around 78 Main Street.
Main Street remains closed between U.S. Route 7 and East/North Road, and officials have urged the public to avoid the area due to heavy police presence and ongoing tactical operations.
VSP’s Victim Services Unit is providing support to Sgt. Locke and his family during this difficult time.
No additional injuries have been reported, and authorities are working to bring the standoff to a peaceful conclusion.
The investigation into LaRoche’s past online behavior and threats is ongoing.
Law enforcement officials are also reviewing whether prior actions could have warranted intervention before the shooting took place.
The Vermont State Police will release more details as they become available.
Media inquiries should be directed to the VSP Public Information Office via email to avoid overwhelming emergency communication channels.