CELINA - A 25-year-old man was allegedly shot in the back by his stepfather-in-law at a Celina residence early Sunday morning following a domestic dispute.
Christopher Mangus underwent surgery for life-threatening injuries at a Dayton-area hospital. His condition was unknown as of Sunday afternoon, according to Celina Police Chief Tom Wale's news release.
Police officers at about 1:30 a.m. Sunday responded to a reported domestic disturbance at 641 N. Sugar St. Upon arrival, they found one of the residents, Mangus, on the ground in front of the house, suffering from a gunshot wound to the back, according to the release.
The scene was secured, and police officers "started life saving first aid" until the Celina Fire Department/Emergency Medical Services arrived, the release states.
A witness reportedly identified Samuel Paul, 49, also a resident at the house, as the shooter. Paul is Mangus' stepfather-in-law, a preliminary investigation showed.
There had been a prior domestic dispute at the residence, and Mangus had left with his children. Mangus returned with the witness to retrieve items for the children, according to the release.
The witness reportedly heard yelling and was at the front door when Mangus was leaving.
"He reports that Samuel Paul reached around him to shoot Christopher Mangus in the back as he was leaving the residence," the release states.
Mangus was transported to Mercer County Community Hospital in Coldwater and then flown to a Dayton-area hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Paul is being held in Mercer County jail on a preliminary charge of felonious assault, a first-degree felony. The incident remains under investigation.
Mercer County Prosecutor Erin Minor is reviewing the case, according to the release.
During the investigation, assistance was provided by Celina Municipal Court Judge Kathryn Speelman, who issued a search warrant; Minor and Mercer County Sheriff's Office deputies, the release states.