In what prosecutors termed as the most outrageous act of gun violence in Ohio’s law enforcement history, a father, identified as Chad Doerman, allegedly lined up and shot dead his three young sons in cold blood with a rifle, CBS reported Saturday.
During his court appearance on Friday, Chad Doerman faced three charges of aggravated murder while being restrained and wearing a protective green padded vest commonly used to prevent self-harm.
Describing the heinous nature of the crime, David Gast, the chief prosecutor of Clermont County, expressed that this was the most horrific act he had encountered throughout his career.
CBS affiliate WKRC-TV quoted Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve as saying: “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.”
Doerman was discovered sitting on a doorstep at the residence and was apprehended without any resistance.
He was formally charged with three counts of aggravated murder during his arraignment on Friday.
In court, a prosecutor revealed that Doerman had confessed to the chilling act of aligning the boys in the yard and shooting them.
It was revealed that Doerman allegedly stood his three sons, aged 3, 4, and 7, in a line within their residence, and subsequently executed them using a rifle.
Disturbingly, one of the boys attempted to escape into a nearby field, but Doerman pursued him, brought him back to their home in Monroe Township, Ohio, and tragically took his life as well.
Their mother was shot in the hand as she tried to protect her sons, the prosecutor said.
“The trauma this man has inflicted … is unspeakable,” Gast said.” The evil horror of what we know is impossible to process.”
Judge Jason Nagel granted the prosecutor a $20 million bond.
“He was their world,” Gast said. “He was their guardian and he executed them in cold blood.”
According to Gast, Doerman has confessed to planning the killings in advance. “We can’t name a person who poses a greater threat to the community,” Gast said.
The prosecutor said this tragedy has left the whole state traumatised.
“They held these children knowing there was nothing they could do,” Gast said. “How do you unsee that sort of abomination.”
A preliminary hearing for the case has been set for 1 p.m. on June 26. Gast stated that once the case is presented to a grand jury, he would try to convince the jurors that Doerman be held without bond, indicating that no monetary amount would be able to secure his release.
