Defiance County, Ohio authorities have apprehended a 63-year-old man following a shooting incident that left a woman hospitalized with multiple gunshot wounds. John J. Okuley, of Columbus, Ohio, is now in custody in White County, Indiana, facing charges related to the Saturday morning attack.
The Defiance County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call at approximately 11:55 a.m. On Saturday, March 21, 2026, reporting a shooting at a residence on Painter Road in Highland Township. Upon arrival, deputies found a female victim suffering from gunshot injuries. She was transported to a local hospital and listed in serious, but stable, condition, according to authorities.
Suspect Apprehended in Indiana
Following the shooting, Okuley fled the scene in a silver Subaru with fictitious plates, initiating a multi-state search. Law enforcement officials located and took Okuley into custody around 4:30 p.m. Saturday in White County, Indiana, in the western part of the state, according to WTOL. A warrant had been issued for his arrest on charges of attempted murder and felonious assault. He is also being held on a Fugitive from Justice charge and will face an extradition hearing in the coming days.
The incident prompted a swift response from multiple law enforcement agencies. The Defiance County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the public and assisting agencies for their cooperation in locating and apprehending Okuley. “The Defiance County Sheriff’s Office thanks the citizens and all the law enforcement agencies who worked together to remove this individual from the streets,” the agency stated in a news release, as reported by 13abc.
Details of the Investigation
Investigators have confirmed that the victim and suspect are family members, though the exact nature of their relationship has not been publicly disclosed. The shooting occurred at a home on Painter Road, south of Defiance. The Defiance County Sheriff’s Office received the initial report of the shooting just before noon on Saturday, initiating the investigation and subsequent search for Okuley. WANE 15 initially reported the incident, detailing the initial 911 call.
Authorities have not released the victim’s age or further details about her condition beyond confirming she is in serious but stable condition. The investigation remains ongoing as detectives gather evidence and interview witnesses to determine the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
This incident follows a separate shooting in Defiance County in December 2024, where a Defiance man was fatally shot by a state trooper after allegedly pointing a gun at officers during a pursuit. That incident, which occurred northeast of Bowling Green, involved Donovan L. Joyner, 26 and resulted in his death, according to BG Independent Media. While separate incidents, both highlight concerns about gun violence within the county.
Anyone with information related to the Saturday shooting is urged to contact the Defiance County Sheriff’s Office at 419-784-1155 or 911, or their local police department.
As Okuley awaits extradition to Ohio, authorities will continue to build their case and prepare for legal proceedings. The focus will now shift to understanding the motive behind the shooting and ensuring justice for the victim. The next step in the process will be Okuley’s extradition hearing in Indiana, after which he will be formally charged in Defiance County, Ohio.
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