An Ohio police chief and three others are dead after a shooting at a nursing home Friday morning.
The incident happened in Kirkersville, Ohio, which has a population of about 500 people, based on census data.
Kirkersville Police Chief Steven Eric Disario and two other employees of Pine Kirk Care Center were killed.
Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp said, prior to the shooting, the gunman took two passers-by hostage behind the nursing home in a wooded area.
Thorp said it was in that area that Chief Disario was killed while responding to reports of a man with a gun.
According to WSYX in Columbus, Chief Disario has been on the job for just three weeks. He was a father of six with another kid on the way.
Licking Co. Sheriff: Kirkersville Police Chief had been on the job 3 weeks before shooting. Father of 6 children, with 1 on the way
— WSYX ABC 6 (@wsyx6) May 12, 2017
It's unclear whether Disario fired his weapon.
The third person found dead inside the nursing home is believed to be the shooter.
The shooting was reported at 7:50 a.m. local time, according to the Columbus Dispatch.
The scene is now secure.
In honor of Kirkersville Police Chief Steven E. Disario, who was killed in the line of duty May 12, 2017. pic.twitter.com/BG6D9K21LQ
— Ohio State Patrol (@OSHP) May 12, 2017
Fran and I extend our thoughts and prayers to everyone in the Kirkersville community.
— Ohio AG Mike DeWine (@OhioAG) May 12, 2017
Gov. John Kasich on the loss of Kirkersville Chief Eric Disario: pic.twitter.com/ZyUH0usIsi
— John Kasich (@JohnKasich) May 12, 2017
This is a developing story. Stay with News 5 for the latest.
