Friday, November 15th, 2013
Suspect apprehended in Van Wert homicide
Couple shot at home; suspect reportedly related to the victims
By Shelley Grieshop
VAN WERT - A 47-year-old woman was arrested this morning and charged with murder after allegedly shooting two family members Thursday evening at a home in Van Wert.
Tamera K. Menke of Ohio City reportedly shot a man and a woman at a home at 223 S. Fulton St. and then fled the scene. She eluded authorities until approximately 10 a.m. today when she was arrested at an undisclosed location in Van Wert County, according to city police.
Menke was charged with murder for the death of Barbara Robinson - one of the two people found shot in the home. Police would not identify the male victim but confirmed it was Robinson's spouse. His condition also was not released.
A press release said both victims were taken from the scene to Van Wert County Hospital.
Van Wert City Police refused to release details of the case - including Menke's relationship to the victims - at press time today. In a broadcast to law enforcement agencies earlier today, Menke was touted as armed and dangerous. She was described as "heavily armed" with weapons including a .22-caliber rifle; officers were warned to use "extreme caution" if they located her. She was last seen wearing camouflage clothing.
Officials initially thought Menke may have been traveling to Alabama.
A call reporting the shooting on the southwest side of the city was placed at 6:02 p.m. Thursday to the Van Wert Police Department's Dispatch Center.
Assisting police in the investigation are the Van Wert County Sheriff's Office and the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
