Wednesday, February 24, 2021

ARMED SUBJECT BARRICADES HIMSELF IN DARKE COUNTY CHURCH

On February 22, 2021 at approximately 6:18 pm the Darke County Sheriff’s Office received 911 calls reporting that an adult male subject armed with an AR15 rifle was in the parking lot of a church located at 4689 Childrens Home-Bradford Road north of Greenville, Ohio.  Callers reported that the subject was threatening to harm himself and there were 5 people at the church.  Darke County Sheriff’s Deputies and Greenville Police Officers responded to the church and upon arrival found the subject identified as Vincent Veloz, age 25, of Celina, Ohio standing in the parking lot holding a rifle to his head. The church members barricaded themselves in the basement of the church to take cover from the gunman who was outside.  Veloz communicated with a 911 dispatcher and deputies arriving on the scene.  Deputies found a citizen in the parking lot near the gunman and they moved in to secure the citizen.  Veloz retreated into the front entrance of the church while keeping the gun pointed at himself and making demands. Veloz remained on the first level of the church and demanded that anyone from the church to be removed.  Deputies were able to escort all citizens from the church and secure them in Sheriff’s vehicles until they were later removed from the premises. 

The Darke County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team (SRT), Tactical Medics and Crisis Negotiators arrived on the scene and secured the premises from the outside.  Crisis Negotiators spoke to Veloz for three hours trying to get him to put down the firearm and surrender.  At 9:26 pm Veloz shot himself while inside the church. SRT and Tactical Paramedics immediately moved into the church and secured the scene as they rendered lifesaving care to Veloz.  Greenville Township Fire and Rescue were already staged nearby responded to the scene.  Veloz was transported by Careflight to a Dayton hospital where he is listed in critical condition at the time of this release.

Vincent Veloz has been charged with Aggravated Burglary, a felony of the first degree, for trespassing into the church while possessing a deadly weapon and while the church was occupied by others.  The case is still under investigation and will be presented to the Darke County Prosecuting Attorney for review of potentially additional charges.

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