On November 24, 2024, the tranquil community of Ohio City, Ohio, was shaken by a tragic incident resulting in the deaths of three individuals. The Van Wert County Sheriff's Office received a call around 8:09 a.m. from an individual reporting that his friend had confessed to killing his girlfriend and another man, and had expressed intentions to commit suicide.
Deputies promptly responded to the residence of 29-year-old Shelby M.
Coats in Ohio City, where they discovered Coats and 30-year-old Andrew C. Lause of Delphos, both deceased from gunshot wounds. Concurrently, deputies located the vehicle of the suspect, identified as 51-year-old Paul A. Boldman of Ohio City, at his own residence. After establishing a perimeter and obtaining a search warrant, law enforcement entered Boldman's home and found him alive but suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to Ohio Health Van Wert, where he was later pronounced dead.
The investigation, led by the Van Wert County Sheriff's Office with assistance from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, is ongoing. Preliminary findings suggest that Boldman fatally shot Coats and Lause before taking his own life. Authorities have not disclosed a motive for the shootings, and it remains unclear what relationship, if any, existed between Boldman and the victims.
In the wake of this tragedy, the community has rallied to support the surviving family members, particularly Coats' two young daughters, Kimber and Kora. A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist with funeral expenses and the children's care, reflecting the community's commitment to providing for those affected by this heartbreaking event.
