MANSFIELD (Updated at 2:15) — Authorities have identified the suspect involved in the Delaware County rest stop shooting as Shawn A. Johnson, 25, of Westerville, who had a warrant issued for his arrest on Saturday.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating the shooting which occurred Sunday in the rest area on Interstate 71 shortly after 11 a.m. in Delaware County.
The victim, who has been identified as College of Wooster student Alexander Melchert, was shot six times by Johnson, according to authorities. Both Johnson and the victim were standing outside near the victim’s vehicle at the time of the shooting.
A spokesman from the Highway Patrol said Sunday it does not appear the victim and the suspect knew each other. According to the Columbus Dispatch, Lt. Robert Sellers said the shooting “appears to have been a random act.”
The Highway Patrol and Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies located Johnson’s vehicle, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit ended after Johnson’s vehicle drove over road spikes and crashed into a guardrail on I-71 northbound in Richland County, according to patrol.
Authorities surrounded the vehicle. Once troopers were able to approach the car, Johnson was discovered to be deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, a press release says.
Melchert is currently listed in critical condition at a Columbus hospital and according to an update on the College of Wooster website, his parents and siblings are by his side.
According to Franklin County Municipal Court records, a warrant was issued in Columbus for Johnson on Saturday on charges of domestic violence and assault. Records show Johnson made threats against his mother on Friday night. She was able to lock him out of her apartment, but he was able to break in. According to records, Johnson hit his mother in the head several times and stole her purse and wallet. He reportedly yelled at his mother, “I’m going to kill somebody, I don’t give a (expletive)” before punching a hole in a hallway door.
No officers were injured as a result of the incident.
