Lima gunman fatally shoots daughter, 20, wife, himself

7/27/2012

LIMA, Ohio -- News that a Lima man shot and killed his estranged wife and daughter before turning the gun on himself Thursday shocked residents of a normally quiet neighborhood.

"I've lived in this house for 40 years. I raised my children here. It's a beautiful little subdivision, very peaceful," said Mary Porreca, in whose driveway one of the victims was killed.

Authorities say that at 4 a.m. Thursday, Randy Glenn, 45, entered the home of his estranged wife, Carlin Glenn, 46, at 9 Beaumont Place in the Sherwood Subdivision. There, he shot the couple's 20-year-old daughter, Andrea Glenn.

He then followed his wife, who had fled to Ms. Porreca's home at 8 Beaumont Place, and shot her in the driveway.

He returned to his wife's house and killed himself, officials said.

"I knew something terrible was going on. I heard gunshots outside my bedroom window," said Ms. Porreca, adding "nothing like this has ever happened."

Ms. Porreca was one of the first to call 911. She saw a body lying outside, she explained, but did not know the identity of the shooter or victim until the police arrived.

All three victims were pronounced dead at the scene, said Chief Deputy Jim Everett of the Allen County Sheriff's office. The victims' bodies were taken to the Lucas County Coroner's office, where autopsies were scheduled for today.

The couple's 17-year-old son, whose name has not been released, was home, but he escaped unharmed, and the American Township fire department transported him to St. Rita's Medical Center for observation.

Deputy Everett said the sheriff's office has responded to domestic disputes at the home before and suspected the killings were the result of a quarrel gone wrong.

The couple's daughter graduated in 2010 from Shawnee High School, where she was an accomplished track and field athlete.

She was recruited for Tiffin University's women's track and field program and competed for the team during her freshman year.

Although she did not run during the 2011-12 school year, she remained enrolled as a student at TU.

"We are deeply saddened by the tragedy that occurred, and we are working in conjunction with the athletic department to hold a tribute at the appropriate time," stated Michael Herdlick, dean of students at TU.

Although Deputy Everett described the double homicide-suicide as an unusual crime, township trustee Lynn Mohler said the crime was especially surprising in the quiet community.

Neither the sheriff's office nor the American Township Police Department knew when the township last investigated a homicide.

"It's devastating, a very sad affair," Mr. Mohler said.

"Our community being tight-knit, a real community, this is a very unusual situation."

-- Jessica Shor