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Recent Ohio college grad shot dead in Taco Bell drive-thru by stranger in murder-suicide

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Recent Ohio college grad shot dead in Taco Bell drive-thru by stranger in murder-suicide


An Ohio woman in line at a Taco Bell drive-thru with her dog was fatally shot before the gunman turned the gun on himself in a shocking murder-suicide Wednesday night.

Megan Keleman sat in the driver’s seat as she ordered food at the fast food chain when Jason Williams, 53, rammed the rear of her car just before 7:20 p.m. in Stow, Ohio, according to police.

The 25-year-old, who graduated from Cleveland State University in May, told a Taco Bell employee on the other end of the speaker to call 911.

Williams had exited his car and shot Keleman before shooting himself, Stow Police Chief Jeffrey Film said Thursday at a press conference, according to Cleveland19.

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Witnesses told detectives that the gunman began blowing his horn at Keleman after she pulled in front of him entering the drive-thru line.

Megan Keleman was killed while she was ordering at a Taco Bell drive-thru in Ohio on Aug. 14. Stow Police Department

Both Keleman and Williams were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Summit County Medical Examiner identified both and noted Keleman was a homicide victim and died from gunshot wounds to the neck.

Williams’ death was ruled a suicide from a gunshot to the head.

“We have no information to indicate that the two subjects knew each other,” Film said

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Jason Williams shot himself in the head after fatally shooting Keleman. Stow Police Department
Keleman sat in the driver’s seat as she ordered food at the fast food chain when Williams struck the rear of her car just before 7:20 p.m. in Stow, Ohio. 19 News/YouTube

“As chief of police and a community leader, I would like to say that this is a true tragedy. Not only the Kelemans lost a daughter, but we as a community lost one of our daughters.”

Police discovered during their investigation that Keleman had called her father, presumably after her car was struck, according to bodycam footage obtained by the outlet.

“I’m gonna stay on the line, I’m coming right up there,” Keleman’s father can be heard telling an officer.

The Summit County Medical Examiner identified both and noted Keleman was a homicide victim and died from gunshot wounds to the neck. 19 News/YouTube
During their investigation, police discovered Keleman had called her father, presumably after her car was struck. 19 News/YouTube

Police have not discovered a motive behind the tragic shooting and “may never know why.”

Keleman’s family said they were “enduring an immensely painful loss” following the death of their daughter.

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“We appreciate the community’s support and hope that our request for privacy will be honored so that we can continue to focus on supporting each other through this difficult period,” the family said in a statement.

While Film said Williams had only one OVI arrest on his record, he was arrested in April for several offenses including a weapons charge.

He was indicted on April 14 for improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle and operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and or drugs, according to court records viewed by The Post.

Stow Police Chief Jeffrey Film called Keleman’s death a “true tragedy” as the community lost one of its daughters. 19 News/YouTube

He was released on a $5,000 bond in May, under the condition of not possessing any firearms, WOIO reported.

Keleman earned her Masters degree in Business Administration from CSU in May. She majored in Finance and Financial Management Services and was described as an “active leader on campus.”

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She helped lead campus tours, organized student orientations around CSU and served as the editor-in-chief of the university’s student newspaper, “The Cauldron.”

“We send our deepest sympathies to Megan’s family, friends and loved ones. We have lost a caring, engaged and optimistic member of the CSU community,” CSU President Dr. Laura Bloomberg said.

If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.



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Remains of Ohio airmen killed in Iraq will be brought back March 29

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Remains of Ohio airmen killed in Iraq will be brought back March 29


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The remains of three Ohio airmen who were killed in the crash of their KC-135 refueling plane in Iraq earlier this month will be returned this weekend, according to a family member of one of the deceased.

The airmen, identified as Master Sgt. Tyler Simmons, 28, of Columbus; Capt. Curtis Angst, 30, of Wilmington, and Capt. Seth Koval, 38, of Stoutsville, will be brought back March 29 to Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base near Columbus, said Charles Simmons, Tyler’s father.

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“Tyler will have a hero’s welcome, because he is a hero,” said Charles.

The Columbus Division of Police will be involved in the funeral procession when the airmen’s remains are transferred from the airport to funeral homes, said Columbus police Sgt. James Fuqua. That will take place between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. March 29, said Fuqua.

The airmen’s remains first arrived back in the U.S. on March 18 with a dignified transfer taking place at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

Curtis, Angst, and Simmons were members of the 166th Air Refueling Squadron connected to the 121st Air Refueling Wing based at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus.

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The airmen, as well as three other servicemembers, died on March 12 when their KC-135 tanker crashed in western Iraq during a mission in support of Operation Epic Fury in Iran. The cause of the crash, which occurred in friendly airspace, has not been publicly identified. U.S. Central Command has said the incident did not involve hostile or friendly fire, and military experts have theorized the crash may have been the result of a collision with a second KC-135 that sustained heavy damage to its tail fin but landed safely at an airport in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Reporter Bethany Bruner can be reached at bbruner@dispatch.com.

Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@dispatch.com, at ShahidMeighan on X, and at shahidthereporter.dispatch.com on Bluesky. 



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Thousands head to Columbus for 23rd annual Home Improvement Show at Ohio Expo Center

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Thousands head to Columbus for 23rd annual Home Improvement Show at Ohio Expo Center


Thousands of people are expected to head to downtown Columbus for the 23rd annual Home Improvement Show this weekend.

Organizers say visitors can find ideas for everything from small interior design projects to major renovations.

The event is being held at the Ohio Expo Center and includes seminars, exhibits and demonstrations from local and national companies.

The show begins at noon Friday and runs until 6 p.m.

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It continues Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Adult tickets cost $5 at the door.



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Matt Patricia sought stability in return as Ohio State football defensive coordinator

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Matt Patricia sought stability in return as Ohio State football defensive coordinator


Matt Patricia’s contract extension earlier this offseason included a pay raise that figures to make him the highest-paid assistant coach in college football this year.

But Patricia, who will make $3.75 million in guaranteed compensation as Ohio State’s defensive coordinator in 2026, also held an appreciation for his situation.

“Ohio State is such a special place, not only just the history, the tradition, the football program, the school, but the people here,” Patricia said. “Having a chance to have a little stability with my family, it’s hard when you have to move your family around, your kids and the new school and all that.”

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Before he joined Ryan Day’s staff last year, the 51-year-old Patricia had bounced around as an assistant in the NFL for much of the decade.

He spent 2021 and 2022 in a variety of roles with the New England Patriots, then a year as a defensive assistant with the Philadelphia Eagles. He took off from coaching in 2024. The frequent relocation gave him perspective.

“We had an unbelievable experience settling into Columbus,” Patricia said. “Everybody’s been so nice and welcoming. It feels like home. It’s a big deal for us to be in a place where everybody’s happy. That’s really important.”

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Patricia had a significant impact on the Buckeyes in his first year replacing Jim Knowles. Despite heavy roster attrition following their national championship season, he kept the defense atop the Football Bowl Subdivision. For the second straight season, no one allowed fewer points than Ohio State.

The 9.3 points per game allowed by the Buckeyes were the fewest by any defense since Alabama in 2011.

The success made Patricia a hot commodity on the coaching market, rebuilding his reputation as a sharp and creative football mind only a decade removed from his tenure as a Super Bowl-winning defensive coordinator for the Patriots. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award as the nation’s top assistant.

Patricia said he heard about opportunities in the NFL and elsewhere across the college football landscape, though none of them would pry him away from Ohio State.

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“It wasn’t necessarily something where you’re looking to leave,” Patricia said, “but you do have to listen when those things come up. I’m just glad everything worked out.”

His challenge in his second season mirrors his previous one, as the Buckeyes are again managing the loss of eight starters on defense.

But unlike 2025, they have fewer returning pieces, relying on a larger class of transfers to help fill the holes on the depth chart.

“With as much coming into the program for the first time, not only are you trying to catch them up on the football scheme, but you’re also trying to catch them up on everything else,” Patricia said. “This is how we work, this is how we do things, this is the standard we’re looking for, this is how we practice, this is how we prepare, this is how we go to school. That has to be also taught. It becomes a lot, but that’s why you bring in the right guys that have the mental makeup to do all that.”

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com and follow him on @joeyrkaufman on X.

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