Two dead following domestic violence incident in Stark County

CANTON, Ohio (WOIO) - Stark County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call early Wednesday morning for a reported domestic violence incident, according to a press release.

EN ESPAÑOL: Dos personas mueren tras incidente de violencia doméstica en el condado de Stark

Two calls were made to 911. The second call made to 911 was from the niece of the couple who hid upstairs when the incident started.

At approximately 3 a.m. on Wednesday, deputies were moving to the 4100 block of Broadway Avenue Northeast in Nimishillen Township when the call reported a man had shot a woman inside the home.

Police say upon arrival, Lorene Denton, 70-year old woman, was found lying dead on the kitchen floor. Jeffery Denton, 64-year-old man, was first found sitting in the kitchen.

When deputies entered the home, Jeffery Denton had a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Police say the niece was found in an upstairs closet.

According to a press release, Jeffrey Denton was transported to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital where he was pronounced deceased. Lorene Denton was pronounced dead at the scene. The niece was also brought to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to a press release, Stark County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by Nimishillen Township Fire Department and the Stark County Coroner’s Office.

Neighbors on the street say they are shaken by what happened.

Louella Large, who lives across the street, described the area as a nice, calm neighborhood.

“They seemed like really nice people. I can’t imagine what happened,” Large said.

“It just shakes my insides to know that something like this happened so close to us. I don’t know what’s going on in this world anymore,” Large said.

Bonnie Stewart, who lives in Stark County, said crime feels more frequent to her.

“It’s getting worse. People are losing their minds. I don’t know what’s going on,” Stewart said.

Stark County Sheriff’s Office says the incident remains under investigation.