Michael Hance
Mass Shooting Incident
CLASSIFICATION: Mass Murder
LOCATION
Copley Township, Ohio
TIME PERIOD
August 7, 2011
VICTIMS
8 confirmed
On August 7, 2011, a mass shooting occurred in Copley Township, Ohio, where 51-year-old Michael E. Hance opened fire using a Hi-Point .45-caliber pistol and a .357 Magnum revolver, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including his girlfriend Rebecca K. Dieter, who was the only survivor. The incident took place between 10:55 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. at multiple locations, primarily on Goodenough Avenue and Schocalog Road. Hance's erratic behavior had been noted by acquaintances, and he was ultimately shot and killed by Copley police officer Ben Campbell, who received the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery for his actions. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and the case is currently closed following the resolution of the incident. Significant evidence includes the firearms used in the shooting and eyewitness accounts, particularly from Dieter, who managed to call 911 before pretending to be dead.
Michael Hance's erratic and delusional behavior prior to the shooting has led some to theorize that he may have been suffering from untreated mental health issues, which could have contributed to his violent actions. There is speculation that his relationship with Rebecca Dieter was tumultuous, possibly serving as a catalyst for the attack. Additionally, some believe that the choice of firearms and the method of the attack indicate a premeditated plan rather than a spontaneous act of violence.
The 2011 Copley Township Shooting: A Day of Tragedy in Ohio
On the serene morning of August 7, 2011, the quiet community of Copley Township, Ohio, was shattered by a horrific act of violence. This small town, located at coordinates 41°05′24″N 81°36′19″W, became the scene of a mass shooting that would claim eight lives, including that of the perpetrator, Michael E. Hance. The entire ordeal unfolded between 10:55 and 11:05 a.m. EST, leaving the town and its residents in a state of shock and mourning.
The Day of the Shooting
It began with Hance, a 51-year-old man, arming himself with two handguns—a Hi-Point Model JHP .45-caliber pistol and a .357 Magnum revolver, both of which he had purchased from the same location in 2005. His first target was his 49-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca K. Dieter, at their home on Goodenough Avenue. Despite being shot, Dieter managed to call 9-1-1 before fleeing to her porch, only to be shot again in the back. In a desperate bid for survival, she feigned death, becoming the sole survivor of Hance's rampage.
Hance then stormed into a neighboring house, where he unleashed further carnage. He killed Dieter's brother, Craig; 16-year-old Autumn Johnson and her grandparents, Russell and Gudrun Johnson; and 16-year-old Amelia Shambaugh, who tragically lost her life in a parked car nearby. Bryan Johnson, Autumn's father, was chased down and fatally shot in a driveway on Schocalog Road.
The bloodshed continued as Hance pursued 11-year-old Scott, Craig's son, into another house where Scott was hiding in the basement with Melonie Bagley and her children. In a chilling encounter, Hance discovered Scott and nine-year-old Dae'Shawn Bagley, fatally shooting Scott while sparing the Bagley family.
The Confrontation with Law Enforcement
Hance's rampage was brought to an end by Officer Ben Campbell and former Copley Township policeman Keith Lavery. Upon confronting Hance, they ordered him to drop his weapon. Instead, he raised his gun and fired at them. In a swift response, Campbell and Lavery returned fire, with Campbell's rifle rounds ultimately ending Hance's life. For his bravery, Campbell was later awarded the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery.
The Perpetrator: Michael E. Hance
Michael E. Hance was known in Copley Township as a quiet and eccentric individual. His behavior had raised concerns among those who knew him, with some describing him as delusional. Hance, who graduated from Norton High School in 1978 as "most courteous," had limited mental healthcare experience, relying solely on herbal remedies. Though his girlfriend insisted he had no violent tendencies, she admitted he was depressed and suffered from disturbed sleep.
Hance's life had been marked by personal and financial turmoil. He was tasked with caring for his girlfriend's father, who had dementia, and had lost his job at a copy store. His interactions with his neighbors, the Johnsons, were tense, culminating in a confrontation with Gudrun over property cleanliness.
In the days leading up to the shooting, Hance's behavior became increasingly erratic. He sought repayment of a previously forgiven debt and used the funds to purchase the firearms and ammunition used in the shooting. His visits to a local gun range suggested he was preparing for an attack. The day before the shooting, Hance's relatives noted his agitated demeanor during a family visit, particularly his unsettling glare toward young Scott Dieter.
Aftermath and Reflection
The aftermath of the shooting left a profound impact on Copley Township. On the first anniversary of the tragedy, the community held a memorial for the victims, with flags flown at half-staff. Officer Ben Campbell was recognized for his heroism with the Top Cops award by President Barack Obama in 2012, and the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in 2013.
Rebecca K. Dieter, the sole survivor, reflected on the tragedy in 2019 following other mass shootings. While she remained a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, she advocated for red flag laws, believing that Hance suffered from a delusional disorder that drove him to his actions.
The response to the shooting drew varied opinions. Gun rights advocate Massad Ayoob praised the police's courageous response and criticized the media for overlooking the role of armed citizen Keith Lavery. Conversely, gun control advocate Tom Diaz described the event as "quintessentially American," highlighting the media's sensational yet ineffective coverage of mass shootings.
Sources
For further reading, please refer to the original Wikipedia article on Michael Hance.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting Occurs
Michael E. Hance opens fire, killing seven people.
Perpetrator Shot
Officer Ben Campbell shoots and kills Hance.
Investigation Begins
Police start investigating the motive behind the shooting.
Gun Purchase Revealed
It is revealed that Hance bought guns five days before the shooting.
Officer Honored
Officer Ben Campbell receives the Top Cops award from President Obama.
Bravery Award
Officer Campbell awarded the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery.
Memorial Held
Community holds a memorial for the victims on the first anniversary.
Survivor Speaks Out
Becky Dieter discusses gun rights and mental health after mass shootings.
On August 7, 2011, a mass shooting occurred in Copley Township, Ohio, where 51-year-old Michael E. Hance opened fire using a Hi-Point .45-caliber pistol and a .357 Magnum revolver, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, including his girlfriend Rebecca K. Dieter, who was the only survivor. The incident took place between 10:55 a.m. and 11:05 a.m. at multiple locations, primarily on Goodenough Avenue and Schocalog Road. Hance's erratic behavior had been noted by acquaintances, and he was ultimately shot and killed by Copley police officer Ben Campbell, who received the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery for his actions. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and the case is currently closed following the resolution of the incident. Significant evidence includes the firearms used in the shooting and eyewitness accounts, particularly from Dieter, who managed to call 911 before pretending to be dead.
Michael Hance's erratic and delusional behavior prior to the shooting has led some to theorize that he may have been suffering from untreated mental health issues, which could have contributed to his violent actions. There is speculation that his relationship with Rebecca Dieter was tumultuous, possibly serving as a catalyst for the attack. Additionally, some believe that the choice of firearms and the method of the attack indicate a premeditated plan rather than a spontaneous act of violence.
The 2011 Copley Township Shooting: A Day of Tragedy in Ohio
On the serene morning of August 7, 2011, the quiet community of Copley Township, Ohio, was shattered by a horrific act of violence. This small town, located at coordinates 41°05′24″N 81°36′19″W, became the scene of a mass shooting that would claim eight lives, including that of the perpetrator, Michael E. Hance. The entire ordeal unfolded between 10:55 and 11:05 a.m. EST, leaving the town and its residents in a state of shock and mourning.
The Day of the Shooting
It began with Hance, a 51-year-old man, arming himself with two handguns—a Hi-Point Model JHP .45-caliber pistol and a .357 Magnum revolver, both of which he had purchased from the same location in 2005. His first target was his 49-year-old girlfriend, Rebecca K. Dieter, at their home on Goodenough Avenue. Despite being shot, Dieter managed to call 9-1-1 before fleeing to her porch, only to be shot again in the back. In a desperate bid for survival, she feigned death, becoming the sole survivor of Hance's rampage.
Hance then stormed into a neighboring house, where he unleashed further carnage. He killed Dieter's brother, Craig; 16-year-old Autumn Johnson and her grandparents, Russell and Gudrun Johnson; and 16-year-old Amelia Shambaugh, who tragically lost her life in a parked car nearby. Bryan Johnson, Autumn's father, was chased down and fatally shot in a driveway on Schocalog Road.
The bloodshed continued as Hance pursued 11-year-old Scott, Craig's son, into another house where Scott was hiding in the basement with Melonie Bagley and her children. In a chilling encounter, Hance discovered Scott and nine-year-old Dae'Shawn Bagley, fatally shooting Scott while sparing the Bagley family.
The Confrontation with Law Enforcement
Hance's rampage was brought to an end by Officer Ben Campbell and former Copley Township policeman Keith Lavery. Upon confronting Hance, they ordered him to drop his weapon. Instead, he raised his gun and fired at them. In a swift response, Campbell and Lavery returned fire, with Campbell's rifle rounds ultimately ending Hance's life. For his bravery, Campbell was later awarded the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery.
The Perpetrator: Michael E. Hance
Michael E. Hance was known in Copley Township as a quiet and eccentric individual. His behavior had raised concerns among those who knew him, with some describing him as delusional. Hance, who graduated from Norton High School in 1978 as "most courteous," had limited mental healthcare experience, relying solely on herbal remedies. Though his girlfriend insisted he had no violent tendencies, she admitted he was depressed and suffered from disturbed sleep.
Hance's life had been marked by personal and financial turmoil. He was tasked with caring for his girlfriend's father, who had dementia, and had lost his job at a copy store. His interactions with his neighbors, the Johnsons, were tense, culminating in a confrontation with Gudrun over property cleanliness.
In the days leading up to the shooting, Hance's behavior became increasingly erratic. He sought repayment of a previously forgiven debt and used the funds to purchase the firearms and ammunition used in the shooting. His visits to a local gun range suggested he was preparing for an attack. The day before the shooting, Hance's relatives noted his agitated demeanor during a family visit, particularly his unsettling glare toward young Scott Dieter.
Aftermath and Reflection
The aftermath of the shooting left a profound impact on Copley Township. On the first anniversary of the tragedy, the community held a memorial for the victims, with flags flown at half-staff. Officer Ben Campbell was recognized for his heroism with the Top Cops award by President Barack Obama in 2012, and the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery in 2013.
Rebecca K. Dieter, the sole survivor, reflected on the tragedy in 2019 following other mass shootings. While she remained a staunch supporter of the Second Amendment, she advocated for red flag laws, believing that Hance suffered from a delusional disorder that drove him to his actions.
The response to the shooting drew varied opinions. Gun rights advocate Massad Ayoob praised the police's courageous response and criticized the media for overlooking the role of armed citizen Keith Lavery. Conversely, gun control advocate Tom Diaz described the event as "quintessentially American," highlighting the media's sensational yet ineffective coverage of mass shootings.
Sources
For further reading, please refer to the original Wikipedia article on Michael Hance.
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Mass Shooting Occurs
Michael E. Hance opens fire, killing seven people.
Perpetrator Shot
Officer Ben Campbell shoots and kills Hance.
Investigation Begins
Police start investigating the motive behind the shooting.
Gun Purchase Revealed
It is revealed that Hance bought guns five days before the shooting.
Officer Honored
Officer Ben Campbell receives the Top Cops award from President Obama.
Bravery Award
Officer Campbell awarded the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery.
Memorial Held
Community holds a memorial for the victims on the first anniversary.
Survivor Speaks Out
Becky Dieter discusses gun rights and mental health after mass shootings.