Willard man dies in shooting in Seneca County

11/20/2017

REPUBLIC, Ohio — Seneca County Sheriff's detectives are investigating the shooting Sunday of a 23-year-old man that occurred while he and others were apparently target shooting, deputies said.

Nickolas Hughes, 23, of Willard, Ohio, was pronounced dead by paramedics with the Scipio-Republic Fire Department who responded about noon to the shooting at 8782 East Township Rd., about a half-mile southeast of here.

Det. Kevin Reinbolt said the victim was struck with once in the chest with a bullet fired from a .22-caliber handgun while and others were shooting at cans. He declined to give the name of the person who was handling the gun when it fired.

The body was taken to the Lucas County Coroner's office, where an autopsy was to be performed. Detective Reinbolt said the firearm is to be sent to Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation for analysis.