Authorities provided more information on Friday about a shooting car chase in Ohio that led to the suspect’s death — and investigators finding another person dead in his home.
The incident took place Thursday afternoon in Darke County, northwest of Dayton, when a 911 call came in from a man who said he’d arrived a friend’s home only to have the friend start shooting at him and then pursue him in his vehicle when he fled the scene, as CrimeOnline reported.
Both vehicles eventually crashed, and the shooter was killed when he was thrown from his vehicle as it rolled over several times. The victim was shot multiple times and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Then deputies went back to the suspect’s home and found a dead woman inside. Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker identified the victim as Juanita Maloon, 53, wife of the suspect, who was identified as Josiah “Joe” Maloon, 57, WDTN said. Joe Maloon “brutally beat and shot” his wife,” Whittaker said.
Whittaker said the third person had come to the Maloons’ home at Joe Maloon’s request for “a transaction,” but Maloon started shooting at him.
“According to (the man), when he pulled into the drive, he obtained cash from Joe Maloon’s vehicle as instructed and that is when Joe Maloon exited his house and started shooting multiple rounds at him,” the sheriff said, according to the Dayton Daily News.
That person was struck several times by bullets as Maloon chased and rammed his vehicle until they both crashed in separate fields. Maloon was pronounced dead at the scene, and the victim was lifeflighted to a hospital.
The Darke County Coroner’s Office said Juanita Maloon died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Whittaker said investigators found a handgun near Maloon at the scene of his crash. He said it was similar to the weapon used to kill Juanita Maloon and shoot at the other victim, but further investigation will make that determination.
Investigators also found shell casings in the Maloon home’s driveway.
They have not, however, speculated on a motive.
