Tragic Drive-Thru Shooting at Stow Taco Bell Leaves Two Dead
Scenes from the Taco Bell in Stow following a drive-thru shooting.
Witnesses reported a man in the drive-thru exited his vehicle and shot a person in front of him before taking his own life.
The identities of the two victims involved in a disturbing murder-suicide incident that occurred on Wednesday night at a Taco Bell drive-thru in Stow have been confirmed. The Summit County Medical Examiner’s office identified Jason Williams, 53, as the shooter who turned the gun on himself after killing 25-year-old Megan Keleman.
Keleman succumbed to gunshot wounds to the neck, while Williams suffered fatal injuries to the head. Both were declared dead at the scene shortly after the incident, which took place around 7:30 p.m. at the Taco Bell located at 993 Graham Road.
Details of the Incident
Police Chief Jeffrey Film provided insight into the tragic events during a press conference on Thursday. According to witnesses, the violent confrontation began when Williams honked his horn at Keleman after she pulled ahead in the drive-thru line. He then collided with the rear of her vehicle.
In an alarming turn of events, Keleman requested assistance from a Taco Bell employee via the drive-thru intercom, asking them to contact law enforcement after being hit. Soon after, multiple calls flooded into the police dispatch, reporting that Williams had exited his vehicle and shot Keleman before taking his own life.
“A man just shot somebody, and then shot himself in the head. I’m really shaken up; I saw him shoot himself in the head,” one caller reported to police.
Background of the Victims
Authorities have not established a motive for the violent act, and investigation details released by the police did not reveal any known relationship between Williams and Keleman. Police Chief Film described the incident as an undeniable tragedy for the victims’ families and the surrounding community, stating, “We may never know why this happened.”
Investigators noted that Williams, who had no prior contact with the Stow police department, was previously arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence. Meanwhile, Keleman had only recently graduated from Cleveland State University with a master’s degree in business administration and was a dedicated worker advocating for children’s welfare.
Keleman’s family expressed their grief in a public statement, citing their profound loss and requesting privacy during this painful time.
Community and Official Reactions
The Taco Bell location remained closed following the incident, with a representative from the franchisor expressing shock and pledging support to those affected by the event. A community response has also emerged, with local leaders voicing their sorrow and emphasizing the need to address underlying issues contributing to such violence.
As investigations continue, the Stow Police Department confirms collaborations with the Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, given the lack of homicide detectives in Stow.
This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the urgent discussions around community safety, the complexity of personal relationships, and the inevitable scars such acts leave on families and the broader community.
