On Thursday, February 2, 2023 just before 10:00 a.m., our agency was notified by Pickerington Ridgeview Jr. High administration of a possible criminal act that was committed by the stepfather of a student. The possible criminal act did not occur on school property, however the student, student’s mother, and stepfather were present at the school. A school resource officer and a detective were quickly dispatched to the school to investigate the matter. The detective arrived at the school and entered an administrative office where the stepfather was seated. After a very brief conversation, the stepfather produced a pistol and fired a single shot into himself. The stepfather was pronounced dead at the scene. The school was immediately placed into lockdown and secured by arriving officers. No students, faculty, or our detective were injured. Students were evacuated to Pickerington Central High School for unification with their parents. The investigation is ongoing at this time. Further details will be made available at a later time. Thank you to the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Violet Township Fire Department for their assistance.
