OHIO TOWNSHIP, Ohio — A mother has been found responsible for shooting her family, killing three of them, before fatally shooting herself at a home in Ohio Township near New Richmond, the Clermont County Sheriff's Office said.
The sheriff's office said 46-year-old Theresa Cain fatally shot 50-year-old Steven Cain, 74-year-old William Felton and 13-year-old Ethan Cain. Samantha Cain, a Northern Kentucky University student and Theresa's daughter, was taken to UC Medical Center where she remains in critical condition.
This determination is based in physical evidence, autopsy reports and the positioning of the family's bodies at the crime scene, the sheriff's office said.
Law enforcement was at a home on Riebel Ridge Road Monday morning for a civil service call. Neighbors said the family living at the home was being evicted. While approaching the house, deputies heard multiple gunshots inside the residence. Clermont County's special response team entered the home and found five people shot.
As police continue to investigate the murder-suicide, friends and neighbors continue to mourn the four people killed.
Tricia Bosse, who lived next door to the Cains for more than seven years, said deputies came to their door and spoke to them on their doorbell camera to let them know what was happening.
Bosse said she remembers meeting Steve and Theresa when they moved into the home in the summer of 2015. She originally noticed Steve's Steelers t-shirt.
"I went down and ... he had on a Pittsburgh Steelers t-shirt, and we are die-hard Bengals fans, like, 'Hey, not too sure how this is going to go. We're Bengals fans you got that Steelers shirt,'" Bosse said.
Bosse said Steve told her the family moved from Connecticut so he could work at P&G — where she worked. She quickly got over the Steelers shirt and the two families bonded, watching over one another, their homes, spending summers together in the pool and watching their kids grow up.
"I was shocked that the eviction was going to happen on Monday," said Bosse. "Another neighbor called, and I said, 'Hey I just told the neighbor across the street to let them know that I can take care of Sam and E (Ethan), I'll come home,' and he said, 'You don't need to come home.'"
When news of four people found dead in an Ohio Township home reached Steve's Critical Khaos bandmates, they immediately noticed the home in question.
"(We were) sending out text messages, calling him, hitting him up on social media and we weren't getting any reply backs," said bandmate Chris Marlow.
They found out their "friend and brother" had died.
New Richmond Superintendent Tracey Miller said in a letter to parents that 13-year-old Ethan was a New Richmond Middle School student.
"(He) was loved by students and staff alike and his loss leaves a tremendous hole in the heart of our district and our community," Miller said.
Miller said a crisis response team was at the school Tuesday and both students and staff spent the day grieving.
"As a community, we are just crushed," he said.
On Tuesday, students left notes on a bulletin board to mourn Ethan's loss, sharing words of kindness and sorrow.
"Ethan, you were as kind and sweet as cake," read one note featuring a coloring page with a cake.
"We will ALWAYS remember you," read another.
Miller said Ethan was a quiet kid.
"A wonderful, wonderful kid," he said. "Teachers and staff members were in tears today just a bright, young life has been extinguished like this."
Teachers paused their lessons for the day, focusing instead on their students' mental health.
"As I walked by room after room after room, they're saying let's talk. How are you feeling? What can we do?" he said.
The district is also rallying behind Samantha, who is still fighting for her life in the hospital. Miller said she was on the academic team at New Richmond and is now a student at Northern Kentucky University.
"The entire New Richmond community is behind her in this fight," Miller said.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help pay for Samantha's medical expenses as she remains hospitalized.
Friends said they still don't understand what happened.
"There was no indication of ever anything being wrong, no telltale signs at all," said Critical Khaos bandmate Glenroie Smith. "We just pray for him and his family and in the end find some peace and that's all we are hoping for."
Clermont County officials said there does not appear to be any threat to the community at this time and there is no search for outstanding suspects. The investigation is ongoing.
Editor's note: An earlier version of this story contained an incorrect photo of one of the deceased. We regret the error.
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