On a summer afternoon in Mason, Ohio, the life of 29-year-old Vincent Stoetzel was tragically cut short in a place he was simply trying to make a living. On July 22, 2026, Stoetzel, a husband and father of four, was shot and killed while at his job at Carter Lumber. The man accused of this violent act was 34-year-old David Cohen, a former co-worker who had only been employed at the lumber facility for a week before quitting just days before the shooting. The incident, which sent shockwaves through the community, was described by prosecutors as a premeditated and targeted attack.
The investigation into Stoetzel's death quickly pointed to Cohen as the primary suspect. Witnesses at the scene, who recognized Cohen from his brief employment, identified him as the shooter. According to reports, Cohen walked into the warehouse and fired approximately 22 to 25 shots at Stoetzel. Fleeing the scene in a gray Chevy, Cohen was apprehended by law enforcement a short time later. He was subsequently charged with aggravated murder. During his initial court appearance, Cohen was ordered to be held without bond as the case was bound over to a Warren County grand jury.
While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, it was revealed that Stoetzel and Cohen had a brief social acquaintance outside of work, having known each other for about three to four weeks prior to the incident. Friends and family remembered Vincent Stoetzel as a man of deep faith, a devoted family man, and a beloved member of his community. He was known for his kindness and his willingness to help others. The case against David Cohen was set to proceed through the Warren County Common Pleas Court, leaving a community to grapple with the senseless loss of a young father and the questions that remained unanswered.
