A Knox County grand jury has indicted Patrick Yoder, 36, of Mount Vernon, on charges of aggravated murder with a gun specification in connection with the shooting death of Justin Proper at the Mount Vernon Dollar General Store. The indictment was issued on March 10 following the incident that occurred on Saturday, March 8.
"In returning an indictment for aggravated murder, the Grand Jury found that Yoder engaged in prior calculation and design of a purposeful killing," said Knox County Prosecutor Chip McConville, according to a Facebook post from his office. McConville explained that this element distinguishes aggravated murder from murder.
According to the Facebook post, the Mount Vernon Police Department reported that Yoder followed Proper into the Dollar General Store on Coshocton Avenue late Saturday afternoon and shot him multiple times with a 9 mm pistol. A police investigation revealed that Yoder knew Proper from a work assignment. Yoder had alleged he had been assaulted in the workplace, but a previous investigation by Mount Vernon Police Department found no support for these allegations.
McConville said in the Facebook post that the charge of aggravated murder carries potential penalties ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment, including options for life without parole. The gun specification adds an additional three-year sentence to be served before any term for aggravated murder.
The shooting occurred on Sat., March 8. Police responded to the Dollar General Store on Coshocton Avenue in Mount Vernon following a 9-1-1 call at 4:17 p.m.
According to the Mount Vernon Police Department news release, when officers arrived at the store, they found a single adult male victim who was deceased. Officers conducted a search of the building and cleared it without finding any other victims. Witnesses informed officers that the suspect had fled the scene and provided descriptions.
Knox County Sheriff's deputies also responded to the scene and located the reported suspect vehicle. They conducted a traffic stop and detained two adult occupants, one male and one female.
The news release said that Mount Vernon Police Department detectives were called to both the scene of the shooting and the traffic stop. They were joined by investigators from several agencies, including the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Knox County Coroner's Office, and Knox County Prosecutor's Office.
Yoder is being held at Knox County Jail without bond. His arraignment is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on March 12 at the Knox County Common Pleas Court.
