Ovie Sumpter, a 58-year-old man from Cahokia, Illinois, died on April 9, 2014, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His death occurred just days before he was scheduled to stand trial for the 2012 murder of his wife, Tina Sumpter, who was 53 years old at the time of her death. Ovie Sumpter, who was also charged with aggravated battery with a firearm for shooting his 23-year-old son, Jason Sumpter, was found dead in his home in Millstadt, Illinois.
The tragic events leading to Ovie
Sumpter's death began on August 18, 2012, when he allegedly shot and killed his wife, Tina Sumpter, and wounded their son, Jason. According to reports, Cahokia police were called to the Sumpter residence early in the morning and found Tina Sumpter with a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Jason Sumpter, who had been shot but survived, managed to escape to a neighbor's house and informed the police that his father was likely fleeing to Missouri. Ovie Sumpter was apprehended shortly thereafter by police in Pevely, Missouri.
Ovie Sumpter was charged with first-degree murder for the death of his wife and attempted first-degree murder and aggravated battery with a firearm for the shooting of his son. The case was set to go to trial on April 21, 2014. However, Ovie Sumpter's suicide on April 9, 2014, brought an abrupt end to the legal proceedings. The authorities did not provide a motive for the shootings, and the case remains a tragic example of domestic violence and its devastating consequences.
