Michael Hance and the 2011 Copley Township Massacre
Overview
Michael Edward Hance was a 51-year-old resident of Copley Township, Ohio, who carried out a deadly shooting rampage on August 7, 2011. The violence unfolded across several neighboring properties near Goodenough Avenue and Schocalog Road, a residential area west of Akron. Hance killed seven people, including two children, and seriously wounded his longtime girlfriend before he was confronted and killed by law enforcement.
The attack began shortly before 11:00 a.m. and developed rapidly as Hance moved between homes, yards and driveways while armed with two handguns. Several of the victims were members of his girlfriend's family, while others belonged to a neighboring family. One victim was a teenage visitor who happened to be sitting in a parked vehicle when she became caught in the violence.
Events Leading to the Shooting
Hance lived with his girlfriend, Rebecca "Becky" Dieter, in the 2300 block of Goodenough Avenue. People who knew him described him as quiet, eccentric and sometimes helpful, but several acquaintances also recalled increasingly unusual behavior. Dieter later said that Hance had experienced depression, difficulty sleeping and behavior she believed was connected to serious psychological problems.
Hance had reportedly become involved in disagreements with neighbors Russell and Gudrun Johnson. There were also signs that he had become agitated with members of Dieter's family. The precise motive for the massacre was never conclusively established because Hance died at the scene and left no verified explanation for his actions.
In the days before the killings, Hance obtained firearms, ammunition and a holster. He reportedly visited a shooting range several times. Investigators later determined that he was armed during the attack with a .45-caliber Hi-Point pistol and a Smith & Wesson .357 Magnum revolver.
The Attack on Rebecca Dieter
On Sunday, August 7, 2011, Hance first attacked 49-year-old Rebecca Dieter inside or near the home they shared on Goodenough Avenue. He shot her, but she remained conscious and managed to call 911. Dieter attempted to escape and reached the porch, where Hance shot her again in the back.
Realizing that Hance was still nearby, Dieter remained motionless and pretended to be dead. That decision likely saved her life. She was eventually rescued and transported for emergency medical treatment. Although seriously wounded, she survived and became the only person shot by Hance who lived.
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