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Butler County fatal shooting victim, suspects identified

UPDATE @ 4:54 p.m.:

The man found dead in the 500 block of Warwick Road on Monday evening has been identified as Maurice Chatman, 23.

Chatman had multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

Two people found at the scene -- after being held at gunpoint by a local resident -- have been charged in connection to the fatal shooting.

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Eric Brown, 19, is charged with felony counts of obstructing justice and tampering with evidence.

A 17-year-old boy was also arrested on the same charges.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 513-785-1209.

UPDATE @ 12:30 p.m.:

A man who saw two people “acting fishy” and running through his fields called 911 to report that he was holding them by gunpoint.

“Come and get both of them,” the man who lives on Brooks Road told the dispatcher. “Send an officer to get them. I got my 12-gauge pump on them. They are both lying here in my driveway. One doesn’t have any shoes on and they are acting stupid.”

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A sheriff’s deputy arrived at the scene shortly after the call. The sheriff’s office was not immediately able to confirm if the two people it had in custody were the two held at gunpoint by the homeowner.

Other 911 calls obtained by this news outlet today describe the scene after an apparent homicide Monday night in the 500 block of Warwick Road in St. Clair Twp.

A woman also called 911 from a nearby house on Martin Drive and said she heard gunshots. She told the dispatcher she saw two men running into the woods and another man lying on the side of the road.

Another 911 caller also described a dead person on the side of the road. Someone “just confirmed that he’s dead. Nobody touched anything,” the caller said.

That 911 caller also said a gold PT Cruiser and a small silver car were seen leaving the scene.

UPDATE @ 12:06 p.m.:

Two people are in custody and are charged in connection to a fatal shooting Monday night in St. Clair Twp.

An adult and a juvenile have been charged with felony counts of obstructing justice and tampering with evidence, according to Maj. Michael Craft with the Butler County Sheriff’s Office.

He declined to provide more information about the two charged.

UPDATE @ 10:35 a.m.:

Investigators from the Butler County Sheriff’s Office conducted a “secondary search” this morning at the scene of a fatal shooting in St. Clair Twp.

A Journal-News reporter at the scene reports at least two sheriff’s office SUVs recently left the scene. A K-9 unit is also on the scene.

The home in the 500 block of Warwick Road is on a quiet, secluded street. Houses sit far back off the road, with many not in view from the street.

INITIAL REPORT:

One person is dead in an apparent homicide Monday night in St. Clair Twp., north of Hamilton.

According to Butler County Sheriff's Dispatch, the sheriff's office was called about 6:41 p.m. on a report of a shooting in the area of Warwick and Eaton roads.

The victim was found in the roadway, according to dispatch. The dispatcher had no information about the gender or approximate age of the victim, but said there is a crime scene.

We have placed several calls to the Butler County Coroner's Office and have been cut off.

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