The tranquil town of New Richmond, Ohio, was recently shaken by an unimaginable tragedy—a father accused of fatally shooting his three young sons. As the community grapples with the horrific event, chilling details from court documents reveal a calculated act of violence and the heroic efforts of a mother and daughter to save their loved ones.
A Father’s Deadly Plan: Months in the Making?
Chad Doerman, 32, stands accused of murdering his sons: seven-year-old Clayton, four-year-old Hunter, and three-year-old Chase. According to prosecutors, Doerman had been contemplating the unthinkable for months leading up to June 15th, the day the unthinkable occurred.
During an interview with first responders, Doerman allegedly confessed that the thought of harming his sons had been weighing heavily on him, keeping him awake for days. He admitted, “I did it. Take me to jail.”
The Horrific Events of June 15th: A Family’s Nightmare
Court documents paint a gut-wrenching picture of the events that unfolded. Doerman, having returned home early from work, allegedly gathered his entire family in the bedroom for a nap. As his wife and sons lay in bed, Doerman retrieved a .22 rifle from the gun safe.
What followed was a horrifying scene. Doerman allegedly opened fire, striking one of his sons. As his wife rushed to the injured child’s aid, screaming for her other sons to flee, their daughter entered the bedroom to witness the unimaginable—her father shooting her brother.
The children’s sister, who had been watching TV in the living room, reportedly screamed for her brothers to run. Court documents allege that Doerman pursued one of the boys, shooting him as he fled. The boy was struck, knocking him to the ground, and then shot again, at close range, in the head.
A Mother’s Desperate Attempts to Save Her Children
Amidst the chaos, the boys’ mother desperately tried to shield her youngest son, three-year-old Chase. According to court documents, she fled with Chase, but Doerman caught up to them. He allegedly pointed the rifle at Chase, demanding his wife put the child down.
The mother, in a desperate attempt to save her son, placed her thumb over the barrel of the gun. Doerman allegedly fired, shooting her through the thumb. Injured and terrified, she released Chase.
Doerman allegedly attempted to shoot Chase in the head, but the gun reportedly jammed. Chase ran to his mother while his sister fled to a nearby fire department, screaming that their father was “killing everyone.”
Chillingly, court documents describe how Doerman then sat on the stoop of his home, calmly watching as his wife desperately tried to save their dying children. He remained there until first responders arrived and took him into custody.
Justice for Clayton, Hunter, and Chase
Doerman faces nine counts of aggravated murder, four counts of felonious assault, and eight counts of kidnapping. Ohio prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.
Despite the harrowing details and his alleged confession, Doerman has pleaded not guilty. The trial will undoubtedly be a painful chapter for the community and especially for the surviving family members forever scarred by this tragedy.
Seeking Answers in the Aftermath
As the legal process unfolds, questions linger. What could drive a father to commit such a heinous act against his own children? Was there something more that could have been done to prevent this tragedy?
While these questions may never have satisfactory answers, one thing is clear: the pain and grief of this tragedy will reverberate throughout the community and beyond for years to come. The memory of Clayton, Hunter, and Chase will live on, a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of violence.