Three dead following shooting in Ohio

OHIO CITY — Van Wert County authorities are investigating a tragic series of events that left two people dead and the suspect deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on Sunday.

The Van Wert County Sheriff’s Department received a call around 8 a.m. Sunday from an individual who reported that a friend had confessed to killing his girlfriend and another man.

The caller also stated that the friend said he planned to take his own life.

Deputies met with the caller and gathered additional information from others before conducting a welfare check at a home in Ohio City.

Inside, officers discovered the bodies of Shelby M. Coats, 29, of Ohio City, and Andrew C. Lause, 30, of Delphos. Both had suffered apparent gunshot wounds.

Authorities later located a vehicle belonging to the suspect, identified as 51-year-old Paul A. Boldman of Ohio City, at another residence.

After securing a warrant, deputies entered the home and found Boldman alive but suffering from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Emergency responders transported Boldman to Ohio Health Van Wert, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is assisting in processing the scene, and the Van Wert County Coroner’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol also contributed to the investigation.

The Sheriff’s Department has not released further details as the investigation remains ongoing.