The Licking County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that murder suspect Richard Lindgren was returned to the county on July 15 and is currently in custody at the Licking County Justice Center. Lindgren was apprehended in Orangeburg, South Carolina, on July 12.
According to a news release from the Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a shooting report at Louie's Corner House, located at 11174 Hebron Road, Buckeye Lake, on July 11 at approximately 11:52 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered a deceased man with an apparent gunshot wound. Detectives conducted witness interviews and processed evidence overnight. Their investigation led them to search for Lindgren, age 59, in connection with the shooting death. He was considered armed and dangerous and had last been seen driving a cream-colored 2011 Buick Lucerne with an Ohio license plate.
A subsequent release indicated that Lindgren was taken into custody without incident in Orangeburg on July 12. His vehicle was identified and stopped by a South Carolina State Trooper with assistance from Orangeburg County Sheriff's deputies. A nationwide warrant had been issued for Lindgren in connection with the shooting death of Benjamin Hawk in Buckeye Lake. The Licking County Sheriff's detectives reached out to multiple agencies across South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida after his vehicle was detected by two Flock cameras in South Carolina.
Detectives from Licking County traveled to Orangeburg to further their investigation.
According to a July 16 news release, Lindgren was scheduled for arraignment on a murder charge that day. The case is set to be presented before a Licking County grand jury on July 23, where additional charges may be considered.
