A 32-year-old father from Ohio was arrested on Thursday, June 15, after he reportedly lined up his three young sons and shot them to death.
Keith Doerman, the father of the shooter Chad Doerman, shared his shock and bewilderment over the incident. He revealed that his son may have unexpectedly lost it. Keith and his wife, Gloria, currently residing in Port Richey, Florida, have been left confounded by their son’s horrifying act, unable to discern any motive.
Keith alluded to his son’s potential struggles, suggesting Chad may have been grappling with significant life challenges. However, since the incident, he hasn’t had the opportunity to speak with Chad, hindering his understanding of the circumstances. He suspects his son might have kept many things secret from him.
Body camera footage from police at the scene showed officers approaching Chad, who was found sitting nonchalantly beside his rifle. This occurred at their Clermont County residence, where it is alleged Chad fatally shot his sons, aged three, four, and seven. The footage shows an officer instructing Chad to show his hands and stand up, but he remains seated.
Chad is said to have later admitted to the killings, using his rifle to murder his sons. His daughter, Alexis, was able to flee and alert others by shouting that her father was “killing everyone.” Chad is also accused of injuring the children’s mother by shooting her in the hand. He now faces charges of aggravated murder.
Keith recalled his recent visit to his son, saying he appeared normal and characterized him as a jovial person. He underscored that Chad had no prior history of mental illness, abnormal conduct, or criminal activity. While an earlier report claimed Chad had choked his father in 2010, Keith dismissed it as false, indicating the charges were subsequently dropped.
Five days prior to the incident, Chad had updated his Facebook profile picture, showing his three blonde-haired sons. He had also posted several photos of the boys, including one where he was teaching them to fish. The family is now left shattered and engulfed in sorrow.