The arrest of Chad Doerman, the Ohio man charged with the deaths of his three sons, ages 3, 4, and 7, was captured on police body camera footage. Doerman, 32, is charged with aggravated murder of the boys. The tragic incident has left the community shaken and seeking answers.
What Happened?
Deputies swarmed the home in Monroe Township, Ohio, and found the boys in the front yard, police said. One caller screamed that her "babies had been shot," another said there was a young woman running down the street yelling that "her father was killing everyone." Prosecutors said Doerman had lined his children up and executed them.
The boy's mother was shot in the hand trying to stop Doerman, officials said. Prosecutors said Friday that one of them had managed to flee into a field near the home, but that Doerman hunted him down and dragged him back to the property before killing him in front of witnesses. When one of the boys tried to flee, he "hunted" him down, brought him back to the house and killed him, the prosecutor said.
According to court documents, Doerman said he planned the murders for several months. Authorities said his motive remains unclear.
Bodycam Footage: The Arrest
In the footage, officers approach Doerman with their guns drawn as he is sitting on a step outside the house when they arrive.
New body camera video released of dad accused of executing 3 sons
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A deputy approached Doerman and pulled him down on his stomach to handcuff him as his dog barks in the background. After officers pin him down in the ground cuff Doerman, he casually asks if he can stand up. "It's kind of uncomfortable," he says. "I ain't going to run away."
"I ain't gonna hurt nobody," Doerman said calmly. He also told the officers his dog wouldn't bite them. "Shut up, dude," the deputy replies. "You have the right to remain silent. (Expletive) use it."
Legal Proceedings
Doerman appeared in Clermont County Municipal Court on Friday wearing shackles and a thick green vest used by corrections officers to prevent people from attempting to kill or harm themselves. Doerman did not speak, but appeared to become emotional at one point during the hearing.
His bond was set at $20 million. Bond was set at $20 million for Doerman. It is reportedly the highest bond in county history. Prosecutors said they know of no other person who is a greater threat to the community. They said they would seek to hold him without bond as soon as they are able. Doerman is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 26.
Doerman could face the death penalty, but prosecutors have not said whether they intend to seek it. Investigators have not shared any details about a possible motive.
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Chad Doerman's Past
Other than traffic citations and one decade-old domestic violence charge, Doerman has no serious criminal offenses, according to court documents and statements from his public defender. The domestic violence charge stems from Doerman allegedly choking his father in 2010, according to court records.
The case ultimately was dismissed, apparently after the alleged victim - identified as Keith Doerman, Chad Doerman's father - failed to appear as a prosecution witness.
Community Response
Residents have said the killings have left them shaken. This is the second family shooting in the community. In February, a murder-suicide left a man, his son and another relative dead before Theresa Cain took her own life.
At least two prayer events were hosted by New Richmond area churches over the weekend. A third event is planned for Sunday, June 25 and is meant to remember both the slain children and honor first responders. The New Richmond Exempted School District offered grief counselors to the community on Friday.
A GoFundMe campaign to help the surviving mother and daughter has raised over $200,000.
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"This is by far the most sickening, horrifying crime I have seen. I can only imagine the terror these little boys felt and experienced as their father - their protector - was murdering them," said Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve.
He was their world, he was their guardian, and he executed them in cold blood. The 34-year-old mother of the children was shot in the hand, apparently having grabbed Doerman's gun at some point in an attempt to save them. at the house in Monroe Township. The three boys were found in the yard, unresponsive. They died from their injuries at the scene.
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