Man who pIaced a firearm on his head when officers arrived at his famiIy home right after teIIing the dispatcher that ‘he didn’t mean to and he accidentaIIy kiIIed’ his spouse while attempting to chamber a round, is charged

Ohio – An Ohio man was taken into custody and charged with murder in the death of his 39‑year‑old spouse, L. Hoopengartner, after Ohio authorities say he fataIIy shot her in their home. According to a press release from the local police department, the incident occurred Friday evening at their home in Ohio.

Police say the defendant, later identified as 42‑year‑old J. HaIpin, called 911 at around 6:25 p.m. and told dispatchers that his spouse had a gunshot wound to the Iower beIIy area and that the firearm discharged by accident. Upon arrival, officers found the victim suffering from the gunshot wound. She was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

In his account to authorities, he said that during an argument, he retrieved a firearm and, while attempting to chamber a round, the gun discharged accidentally. He told police he didn’t mean to shoot his spouse and that the weapon just went off. Detectives said the defendant then appeared to attempt to take his own Iife by hoIding the weapon to his head, but the gun did not fire.

Investigators say there was no prior criminal record for the defendant and no documented history of domestic violence between the couple. The couple’s child, an eight‑year‑old with autism, was present in the home at the time of the shooting but was not injured. A lieutenant with the police department said social workers and other services are being brought in to support the child.

Investigators say the pair had been having a heated argument prior to the shooting; the nature of the disagreement has not been publicly detailed. Police rendered first aid to the victim at the scene and then transported her to the hospital, where she later died from her injuries.

When police arrived at the Ohio home, they reportedly saw the defendant holding a firearm to his own head. Officers immediately ordered him to put the weapon down, shouting that they could work the situation out and that they did not want to shoot him. After nearly two minutes, he complied, dropping the gun, and officers were then able to take him into custody safely.

The defendant appeared in court where he waived his preliminary hearing and was bound over to a grand jury. He remains held in the county jail on one million‑dollar bond while the murder charge proceeds.