By Erika Platt-Handru
Staff Writer
Article Photos
Berry
A group home resident was arrested and charged with attempted aggravated murder after he attacked a worker and three other residents with a wrought iron candlestick holder Monday morning.
Jack R. Berry, 32, was arrested at 366 Wentz St., an adult group home, after he attacked the residents and a worker, causing serious head and hand injuries, Lt. Michelle Craig, acting chief of the Tiffin Police Department, said.
"He went up to a resident, took a wrought iron candlestick holder and struck the resident in the head several times," she said.
Berry then attacked a female worker with the same candlestick holder, causing facial, head and hand injuries. Two other residents who tried to stop the attack on the worker also were struck by Berry with the candlestick holder.
Craig said police received the report of the attack around 9:30 a.m., and the caller reported a man was missing part of an ear. During a second call to police, a caller reported somebody killed another person.
"They really thought the worker was murdered," she said.
Craig said Berry wasn't provoked, and police aren't sure why he attacked the resident and the worker.
Following the attack, all four victims were transported to Mercy Tiffin Hospital. The worker and a resident were then taken by Life Flight to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center.
Detective Dave Horn of the Tiffin Police Department said Monday evening they remained in critical condition.
The other victims were treated and released.
Berry, who appeared in Tiffin Municipal Court Monday for a video arraignment, had his bond set at $1 million, a court spokeswoman said. He also was appointed an attorney.
The adult group home, which was opened in 2009, is a co-ed residence licensed for 16 individuals.
Horn said residents are referred to the home by Firelands Counseling and Recovery Services.
Prior police calls to the home include fights, assaults and suicidal individuals, but nothing as serious or violent as Monday's attack, Horn said.
