Armed Suspect in Lenox Township Fatal Shooting Captured at Friend’s Home in Thompson Township
A suspect wanted in connection with a fatal shooting early Monday in Lenox Township in Ashtabula County was captured later that afternoon in Geauga County following a coordinated search involving drone surveillance.
A suspect wanted in connection with a fatal shooting early Monday in Lenox Township in Ashtabula County was captured later that afternoon in Geauga County following a coordinated search involving drone surveillance.
The Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office announced on its Facebook page the arrest of 42-year-old Timothy J. Adams at approximately 3:46 p.m. on June 2. Adams was found hiding approximately 20 feet up a tree behind a friend’s residence on Sidley Road in Thompson Township, Geauga County Sheriff Scott Hildenbrand told the Geauga County Maple Leaf. He was taken into custody without incident.
The day began with a 9-1-1 call at 6:11 a.m. reporting a shooting at 3578 State Route 46 in Lenox Township. Deputies arrived to find a 62-year-old man dead at the scene from a single gunshot wound sustained outside the home. The victim’s name has not yet been released.
Adams, who fled in a red 2006 Ford Explorer, was quickly identified as the suspect. He was considered armed and dangerous, and law enforcement began working to locate him while preparing an arrest warrant, Ashtabula County Sheriff William Niemi posted on the department’s Facebook page.
Later in the day, authorities located Adams’ vehicle parked in the driveway of his friend’s home and established a staging area nearby while an arrest warrant was being secured. Ashtabula County sheriff’s deputies launched a drone, which eventually spotted the suspect’s vehicle being moved into the woods, out of plain view, Hildenbrand said, adding he along with numerous Geauga County sheriff’s deputies and a K-9 unit also went to the scene.
Hildenbrand said a vehicle passed the law enforcement staging area and pulled into the Sidley Road home of Adams’ friend. Based on the developing situation, deputies made the decision to move in quickly.
Adams was discovered hiding in a tree roughly 20 feet off the ground, equipped with tree climbing gear, Hildenbrand said. He also had a backpack that later was found to be carrying a firearm, which Hildenbrand said is believed to be the gun used in the fatal shooting.
Adams was arrested without incident on suspicion of aggravated murder and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet announced formal charges.
Anyone with further information is urged to contact the Ashtabula County Sheriff’s Office at 440-576-9046.
