Ross County, OH — The Tecumseh area was placed on lockdown Friday night after a man reportedly armed with a gun and a machete caused alarm among residents. Around 8 PM, deputies responded to a domestic violence incident in the 6500 block of Marietta Road, following a 911 call that alerted dispatchers to the armed individual.
As deputies arrived on the scene, they learned that the man had been spotted in the area, prompting a swift response from local law enforcement. Simultaneously, officials from the Ross County Sheriff’s Office and the State Highway Patrol began searching the vicinity.
In a precautionary measure, Haunted Mountain, a local attraction, decided to close down following the performance of “Frankenstein.” Just as the play concluded and preparations were underway to open the haunted trail, the venue received word of the ongoing manhunt. With safety as the priority, the event organizers collaborated with deputies to ensure that hundreds of attendees, employees, and performers were evacuated safely.
The lockdown unfolded rapidly, with law enforcement conducting a thorough search of the expansive property, which includes numerous buildings and dense woods. Fortunately, no injuries were reported during the incident.
Authorities expressed serious concerns about the potential danger posed by the armed individual, emphasizing that continuing the haunted trail—especially one that simulates gunfire—would not have been safe given the circumstances.
So far the man is expected to see charges of Unlawful Restraint; Using Weapons While Intoxicated; Aggravated Menacing; Inducing Panic_ commit offense w/ reckless disregard; Domestic Violence.
The situation is still under investigation, and additional details are expected to emerge as law enforcement continues its efforts to locate the suspect. Residents are advised to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities.
