Man Fatally Shot While Mowing His Lawn in Broad Daylight in Suspected Murder-Suicide: Reports

A man in Cleveland, Ohio, has died after being fatally shot while mowing his lawn in broad daylight in a suspected murder-suicide, according to reports.

On Wednesday, May 14, at approximately 1:30 p.m. local time, the Cleveland Police Department was called to the 15700 block of Munn Road in the West Park neighborhood, Cleveland 19 News reported. Officers found a man who had been fatally shot at the scene.

Per Fox 8 News, News 5 Cleveland and Cleveland 19 News, the victim has been identified as Thomas Overall, 68. A neighbor told Cleveland 19 News that Overall had been out mowing the lawn at the time of the shooting.

Cleveland Police found the suspect dead inside a vehicle nearby on Hogsback Lane near the Stinchcomb-Groth Memorial in the Rocky River Reservation, according to News 5 Cleveland. The suspect was discovered deceased with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the outlet stated.

Tributes have been pouring in for Overall, with his loved ones telling Fox 8 News in a statement, “Tom’s immediate and extended family are shocked and grief-stricken over his loss. He was well-liked and well-loved by everyone who knew him.” 

“Originally from Missouri, Tom moved to Cleveland with a job opportunity decades ago. He quickly adopted Cleveland as his hometown and loved it here. He loved his neighborhood and his neighbors and the family is appreciative of all the prayers and love shown by those neighbors during this difficult time,” they added, per the outlet.

The victim was preparing to go on a hiking trip to Spain with members of the Cleveland Hiking Club (CHC) on Friday, May 16, Fox 8 News stated.

CHC President, Sharon Uhl, said in a statement, “Tom was a member of CHC since 2013 and hiked almost 6,000 miles with us. Many members knew him and hiked those miles with him, enjoying his company on the trail,” the outlet reported.

“He planned to leave May 16 for a 2-week hike in Spain with a group of CHC members. We are shocked and saddened by his needless death. A wonderful person, a loss for so many!” Uhl added, per the publication.

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Cleveland Ward 17 Councilman Charles Slife said in a Facebook post on Wednesday, “I visited and spoke with neighbors, who are understandably shocked and distraught … Please pray for the victim and for his neighbors who are processing this senseless act of violence.”

Debbie Orlosky, who lived close by, said of Overall, “He was the greatest … We just, we just loved him; all of us,” per News 5 Cleveland.

Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said of the shooting at a town hall meeting on Wednesday, “I know today has been a challenging day in the neighborhood. Our hearts and our prayers are with the victims of the murder-suicide that took place earlier today,” the outlet stated.

Neighbors described the suspect as a “volatile” person who has reportedly had multiple run-ins with the law and other residents, Fox 8 News noted, while also highlighting that the investigation is ongoing.

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner tells PEOPLE that they do not have any further information to release as of the time of publication.

Cleveland Police Department and a spokesperson for Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s office didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.