The shocking incident has sent ripples of grief through the tight-knit community, leaving residents struggling to comprehend such an unprecedented tragedy in their city.
Tiffin Police Chief David Pauly acknowledged the rare and devastating nature of the event, stating, “As a community, we are not accustomed to events of this horrific and heartbreaking nature in Tiffin.”
Officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Huss Street around 6:24 p.m. following reports of gunshots and screaming coming from a residence.
Upon arrival, first responders discovered an adult male and two male children suffering from apparent gunshot wounds, while an adult female, physically unharmed, was visibly traumatized and in shock.
Early investigations revealed that the incident occurred while the mother of the children was attempting to remove her belongings from the home amid ongoing domestic conflicts. She was assisted by 29-year-old Dustin Willey, the father of her eldest child, while her husband, 42-year-old Ryan Eagon, was reportedly working out of town.
According to police reports, while the mother and Willey were inside, the children, aged 7 years and 7 months, were outside near a vehicle. When the 7-year-old cried out, the adults went to check on him and encountered Eagon in the driveway.
Evidence and witness statements suggest that Eagon pushed past the mother, fired multiple shots at Willey, then fatally shot both children before directing gunfire at Willey and ultimately taking his own life.
The mother managed to carry the children back inside before emergency responders arrived. Eagon and the 7-month-old were pronounced dead at the scene, while Willey and the 7-year-old were rushed to a local hospital, where they tragically died.
Authorities have requested privacy for the surviving mother and have asked the community to respect her grieving process during this unimaginable time. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation has been called in to process the scene, with autopsies pending. Chief Pauly also asked residents to keep the victims’ families and first responders in their thoughts as they navigate the emotional toll of the tragedy.
