Fayette County, OH – In the early hours of this morning, around 3:00 a.m., the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received information regarding an armed suspect wanted in connection with a shooting in Miami County. The suspect was believed to be traveling through Fayette County.
Deputies quickly responded to the area of US 35 East near the Fayette/Greene County line in an attempt to locate the suspect’s vehicle, a silver Toyota Tundra. At approximately 3:14 a.m., Deputy Ennis spotted the vehicle traveling eastbound on US 35 at mile marker 82. With additional deputies joining the pursuit, they attempted to stop the vehicle around the 90-mile marker. The Tundra continued for approximately one mile before coming to a stop.
Despite efforts to communicate with the driver using loudspeakers, there was no response. Given the lack of cooperation from the driver, assistance was requested from the Ross County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. A helicopter from the Ohio State Highway Patrol Aviation Unit arrived and reported that the driver appeared to be slumped over the wheel with blood visible around his head.
Deputies and troopers approached the vehicle and confirmed that the driver was deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. The driver was later identified as Douglas Smith, 52, of Troy, Ohio, who was the shooting suspect from Miami County.
According to Miami County law enforcement, at 6:03 pm on June 28, 2024, officers were dispatched to the 1500 block of Sussex Dr. following reports of shots fired. Fortunately, there were no injuries, and the suspect left the scene before officers arrived. The incident was under investigation and seems to have stemmed from a domestic issue.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene to assist with the investigation.
Sheriff Stanforth commended Deputy Ennis, Deputy G. Martin, Deputy Hammock, and Deputy T. Martin for their exemplary work during the incident. He also expressed gratitude to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol for their valuable assistance.
