Crime
Morrow County Deputy Daniel Sherrer shot and killed on Memorial Day, suspect Brian Wilson charged
MARION, OH – A Morrow County sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed in the line of duty on Memorial Day while responding to a domestic violence call in the rural community of Marengo, approximately 35 miles north of Columbus.
Deputy Daniel Sherrer, 31, was fatally wounded during a shootout at a residence on County Road 26 shortly after 7:40 p.m. on Monday.
He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Sherrer, who had served with the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office since May 2021, was remembered by Sheriff John L. Hinton during a press conference Tuesday morning as a dedicated and well-loved deputy.
“He was a grown man, but I still think of him as a kid. Always had a smile, never in a bad mood. He loved this job, and he loved this community,” Hinton said.
The suspect in the shooting, identified in court records as Brian Michael Wilson, 53, of Marengo, is expected to be charged with aggravated murder.
He was also wounded during the exchange of gunfire and remains hospitalized in serious condition under police custody.
According to an affidavit filed in support of the charges, body-worn camera footage captured the events leading up to the deadly confrontation.
Upon arriving at the scene, Deputy Sherrer spoke with a neighbor who reported that Wilson had made alarming comments, including a statement that he would be “OK if he died tonight.”
Sherrer then approached the residence and observed Wilson sitting on a porch with a visible firearm. Wilson immediately warned him not to come closer, saying, “Don’t come up here.”
Sherrer attempted to de-escalate the situation, but Wilson’s threats intensified. The affidavit records him saying:
“Don’t f—— come around that corner, I will f—— kill you… I’m not f—— playing, you better just f—— go if you want your family to see you tomorrow.”
Moments later, Wilson advanced toward the deputy, and gunfire erupted. Sherrer was struck and collapsed.
The affidavit indicates that additional shots followed, possibly as Wilson fired again at the wounded deputy. Audio from the footage captured the sound of a firearm clicking, consistent with an empty chamber in a revolver.
Investigators recovered two firearms from the scene: a semiautomatic pistol and a revolver.
Sheriff Hinton did not discuss the circumstances that triggered the shootout and said he had not yet viewed the body camera footage.
He also declined to publicly name the suspect, stating:
“You will never hear his name come from my lips… Why would I? Why am I going to even mention his name? He doesn’t deserve it.”
The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation are jointly handling the investigation.
Wilson remains hospitalized and in custody as the legal process moves forward.
Deputy Sherrer’s death has deeply impacted the Morrow County community, home to roughly 35,000 residents.
A patrol cruiser has been stationed in front of the sheriff’s office, adorned with a black mourning band over the badge, surrounded by flowers and tributes left by members of the community.
Further updates on the investigation and legal proceedings are expected to be released by the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
AUSTIN, Texas — A man was taken into custody Saturday afternoon following a shooting inside the Austin Central Library that left one person seriously injured and prompted a large emergency response and temporary shelter-in-place order in the downtown area.
According to the Austin Police Department (APD), officers responded shortly after 12:00 p.m. to reports of gunfire inside the Austin Central Library, located at 710 W. César Chávez Street.
Upon arrival, police and Austin-Travis County EMS units found one victim suffering from a gunshot wound.
The individual was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition.
Assistant Police Chief Lee Rogers stated during a press briefing that the shooter fled the scene before officers arrived.
After an extensive search, the suspect—identified as 55-year-old Harold Newton Keene—was located and arrested in South Austin at approximately 1:25 p.m.
The library was safely evacuated, and the shelter-in-place alert was lifted shortly after Keene’s apprehension.
Authorities emphasized that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident involving only one suspect and one victim.
“This was not an active shooter situation,” Rogers confirmed.
Preliminary reports and public records reveal that Harold Newton Keene has a lengthy criminal history, including multiple arrests for assault, family violence, terroristic threats, burglary, drug possession, and evading arrest.
He is described by law enforcement officials as a habitual violent offender who has had numerous prior run-ins with police.
Records indicate Keene was previously arrested for threatening a man with a firearm several months ago and, in a separate incident, assaulted another inmate while in custody at the Travis County Jail.
In both cases, prosecutors later declined to pursue charges.
Authorities have not yet released a possible motive for the shooting or confirmed whether the suspect and victim knew each other.
The Austin Police Department’s Major Crimes Division is leading the investigation.
Anyone with information related to the incident is urged to contact the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS.