A Marietta man is facing aggravated murder and attempted murder charges after deputies say he broke into a Grandview Township home early Sunday and shot two elderly residents, one of whom later died. Baxter L. Grimes, 50, is being held without bond at the Washington County Jail following a brief foot pursuit that ended his arrest hours after the shooting.
According to the Washington County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a 911 call at approximately 12:33 a.m. Sunday for a home invasion in Grandview Township in which two elderly residents were shot. Both victims were taken to a local hospital, stabilized, and then transferred to a hospital in Columbus, the sheriff's office said. One of the two later died from the gunshot wounds.
The status of the second victim was not specified, and authorities have not identified either person, according to the Marietta Times. Deputies and detectives processed the shooting scene before developing Grimes, of Marietta, as a suspect in the attack.
Burglary, Stolen Gun Preceded the Shooting
Investigators say the violence did not start at the Grandview Township home. The sheriff's office said detectives determined Grimes had burglarized another residence in the New Matamoras area earlier that same night and stolen a firearm during that break-in, according to the sheriff's office release.
From there, authorities say, Grimes moved on to the home invasion that left two elderly residents shot. Law enforcement initiated a manhunt and sent an Everbridge alert to the surrounding community, warning residents and asking for help locating him.
Citizen Tip Leads to Foot Chase, Arrest
The Everbridge message worked quickly. A citizen tip led to a sighting of Grimes, and detectives took him into custody after he was briefly pursued on foot in the New Matamoras area, the sheriff's office said.
Grimes now faces first-degree felony charges of aggravated murder, attempting to commit murder, and aggravated burglary, the sheriff's office and the Marietta Times reported. He also faces two second-degree felony counts of felonious assault, a second-degree felony count of theft of a firearm, four third-degree felony counts of tampering with evidence, and one fifth-degree felony count of burglary.
Grimes is being held without bond at the Washington County Jail as the case moves forward. The sheriff's office said the case remains under investigation and is asking anyone with further information to contact the office at 740-376-7070, extension 0.
