This article was originally published by Mennonite World Review

Pennsylvania shootings take lives of Ohio father, son

A series of shootings that killed four people and critically wounded another Jan. 24 in State College, Pa., took the lives of a father and son who were members of Walnut Creek Mennonite Church in Sugarcreek, Ohio.

Dean Beachy
Dean Beachy
Steven Beachy
Steven Beachy

The Patriot-News of Harrisburg, Pa., reported Dean W. Beachy, 62, of Millersburg, Ohio, and his youngest son, Steven Lee Beachy, 19, tried to intervene in an argument at a restaurant between Jordan Witmer, 21, and his ex-girlfriend, Nicole Abrino.

Witmer shot both men, and shot and wounded Abrino, before fleeing the scene and fatally shooting an 83-year-old man in his home and taking his own life.

Dean Beachy, a livestock auctioneer, died at the scene. Steven Beachy died the following day at a hospital in Altoona. The men were in Pennsylvania to work a horse sale on Jan. 25.

A vigil was held Jan. 28 in State College.

Survivors include Linda Beachy, wife of Dean and mother of Steven; and Robert, Benjamin and David Beachy, sons of Dean and brothers of Steven.

A joint memorial service for the Beachys was held Jan. 29 at Mount Hope (Ohio) Event Center.

Sign up to our newsletter for important updates and news!