CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Authorities arrested a man Friday night after he allegedly made threats to kill another person and himself, prompting lockdowns at a hospital and an industrial facility.
Deputies responded to a call from a woman who reported that her boyfriend, Mykel Morris, had left their residence with a gun. She said, according to reports, Morris intended to go to the Springfield Township Fire Department to shoot and kill a firefighter. Morris was reportedly operating a black Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle.
Deputies were dispatched to different fire department locations in Springfield Township but initially could not locate Morris. The caller informed deputies that Morris became enraged after allegedly discovering she had been communicating with another man on Facebook. During the argument, Morris reportedly grabbed his 9mm handgun, threatened to kill the man and then himself, said goodbye to his young children, and left on his motorcycle.
Deputies obtained Morris’s phone number and attempted to ping his location, but he had turned off his phone. Further investigation revealed that Morris worked at Adena Regional Medical Center, which was placed on lockdown. Another deputy responded to the Kenworth, the place of employment of the man Morris threatened, which also implemented security measures.
As deputies continued to search, they received a tip that Morris had returned to the apartment. Upon arrival, they found him in an argument with the caller. Morris, deputies said, willingly stepped outside and was found in possession of a loaded handgun and an extra magazine.
Morris reportedly admitted to deputies that he had intended to carry out his threat but changed his mind after riding his motorcycle to calm down. He allegedly acknowledged making suicidal statements.
Morris was arrested and charged with Aggravated Menacing and Inducing Panic. He was transported to the Ross County Jail and placed on suicide watch. The firearm was secured by authorities.
The Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the case.
