A 32-year-old father from Ohio was arrested on Thursday, June 15, after he allegedly lined up his three young sons and shot them to death.
Keith Doerman, the father of the shooter Chad Doerman, expressed his disbelief and confusion about the incident, stating that his son had “just snapped.” The parents, Keith Doerman and his wife, Gloria, who reside in Port Richey, Florida, are still trying to comprehend the shocking act committed by their son and do not have any insights into the underlying motivation.
According to his father, Doerman might have been dealing with overwhelming issues in his life. He added that he hasn’t had a chance to speak with his son since the incident, inhibiting his understanding of the situation. He suspects his son may be hiding a lot from him.
Police body cam footage captured the moment officers confronted Doerman, who was calmly sitting next to his rifle. The incident took place at their home in Clermont County, where Doerman allegedly shot his three sons aged three, four, and seven. The footage depicts an officer shouting at the assailant to show his hands and stand, but he remains seated on the stoop.
Doerman later reportedly confessed to the murders after executing his sons with his rifle. His daughter, Alexis, managed to escape and alert others by screaming that her father was “killing everyone.” Doerman is also accused of shooting the boys’ mother in the hand. He has been charged with aggravated murder.
Keith Doerman recalled that he had recently visited his son, noting that he seemed fine and described him as a fun-loving person. He emphasized that Doerman had no history of mental illness, unusual behavior, or a criminal record. Even though an earlier report suggested that Doerman had choked his father in 2010, his dad dismissed the allegation as untrue, saying the case was later dropped.
Just five days before the incident, Doerman had updated his Facebook profile picture to one featuring his three young blonde sons. He had also shared various photos of the boys, including one where he was teaching them how to fish. The tragic event has left the family in devastation and overwhelmed by grief.