The Tiffin community is reeling after police released new information about a devastating murder-suicide that claimed four lives on Wednesday evening. The Tiffin Police Department confirmed the identities of the victims and provided a more comprehensive understanding of what transpired in the moments leading up to the tragedy on Huss Street.
According to an updated press release issued Thursday by Chief David Pauly, officers were dispatched to the 100 block of Huss Street around 6:24 p.m. on November 19 following 911 calls reporting gunfire and screaming. When officers arrived, they discovered several individuals suffering from gunshot wounds both inside and outside the residence.
Investigators say the incident unfolded during a planned effort by a mother to remove her belongings from the home amid ongoing domestic difficulties. She had arranged for 29-year-old Dustin Willey, the father of her oldest child, to help her move out. Her husband, 42-year-old Ryan Eagon, was believed to be working out of town at the time.
The mother and Willey had been inside gathering her remaining items while her two children—ages seven years and seven months—waited near a vehicle outside. According to police, their plans changed abruptly when the mother heard her seven-year-old cry out. She and Willey went outside to check and immediately encountered Eagon in the driveway.
Based on physical evidence and eyewitness accounts, investigators believe Eagon began chasing Willey almost instantly. Police say he pushed past the mother and opened fire, striking Willey before turning the gun on the children. Both children were shot at close range. Eagon then returned his focus to Willey, firing additional shots before ultimately taking his own life.
Desperate to save her children, the mother carried them back inside the home as she called for help. First responders with Tiffin Fire and Rescue attempted lifesaving measures on all victims. Willey was transported to Tiffin Mercy Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The infant and Eagon were pronounced dead at the scene. The seven-year-old was rushed to the hospital but did not survive.
Police confirmed that no officers discharged their weapons and no law enforcement personnel were injured. In compliance with Marsy’s Law, the mother’s identity is being withheld. Authorities urged the public and media to respect her privacy as she navigates profound trauma.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Seneca County Coroner’s Office are assisting with the ongoing investigation. Autopsies are pending, and no further information regarding the children’s identities will be released.
Chief Pauly acknowledged the deep emotional toll the incident has taken—not only on the families directly involved but also on first responders, medical staff, local schools, and the community as a whole. Grief resources are being prepared for those affected.
Police say additional updates will be provided when appropriate as investigators continue working through one of the most tragic cases in Tiffin’s recent history.
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