A member of the Hamilton County SWAT team shot an armed man who barricaded himself in his home after firing shots at a woman's house Friday evening, sheriff's officials said.
Neighbors identified the suspect as Ken Roehrig, 68. Beth Williams told Local 12 News that Roehrig arrived at her home on Wesselman Rd. in Green Township Friday night around 6:00 p.m. and honked his horn in the driveway. Williams said she acted like she wasn't home but Roehrig started firing shots into her yard.
"We just met him a week ago," Beth Williams said. "He bought a bike from my husband and he's been coming up here. And then he told me he was in love with me and he wanted me to leave my husband and I was like, 'you gotta be kidding me, buddy'."
After several minutes, Beth Williams said Roehrig approached her back door and pulled a gun from his waistband. A home video surveillance system captured Roehrig stumbling to the door with a cigarette in his mouth and a beer can in his hand.
When Beth Williams didn't answer the door, Roehrig pulled a gun from his waistband and fired several rounds at the door's lock.
When the gun ran out of bullets, Roehrig pulled another gun and fired again. As the shots were fired, Williams was on the phone with a girlfriend who asked a family member to call 911. Beth Williams phoned her husband.
"I was very scared. I was scared to death. And I was trying to keep my dogs away from the door," Williams said.
Beth Williams said after Ken Roehrig bought the motorcycle from her husband he came to their home for dinner and would stay later than he was welcome.
Williams said she and her husband thought Roehrig was a lonely man and they befriended him. But, Williams said Roehrig started acting oddly and bringing her gifts.
"He showed up at my house at 7:30 in the morning, sat until 9:30. Then he showed up at 10 o'clock one night with his pants around his ankles thinking I would answer the door," Williams said.
The back door at the Williams's home has significant damage from the gunshots. Williams's son dug several bullets out of the door jamb.
"I believe if he would have gotten in the house, he would have killed me. I believe that," Beth Williams said.
The surveillance video shows Beth Williams's husband arriving home and confronting Ken Roehrig. He left and around 8:30 p.m.
Friday night, Roehrig's ex-wife called 911 to report he had contacted her from his home on Ebenezer Rd. less than half a mile from the Williams's house.
"He's telling me he's going to commit suicide. He's drunk and talking incoherently," the ex-wife told a dispatcher.
The Hamilton County Special Response Team and Green Township police surrounded the home. Deputies said Roehrig stepped on to the front porch and pointed a rifle at members of the Special Response Team.
One of the members fired a shot which killed Roehrig. Hamilton County Sheriff's officials said they found several firearms and a hand grenade in Roehrig's home. He was a Vietnam veteran.
Despite Roehrig's passing, Beth Williams said she was still scared and shaken Saturday evening. She was also thinking about Ken Roehrig's family.
"I feel sorry for his daughter. He showed me a picture of his daughter. I don't think she really had anything to do with him, but now I can see why," Williams said.
The officer-involved shooting remained under investigation Saturday. The name of the officer who fired the shot was not released.
Family members of Ken Roehrig declined to comment Saturday when approached at his home.
