Enon police officer cleared in Perry Twp. stabbing investigation

The investigation continues into a stabbing in Perry Twp. late Tuesday night that left a woman in critical condition:

  • Dwight Richard, a part-time Enon police officer initially arrested, has been cleared
  • Tyler Minton, also arrested, faces two counts of felonious assault
  • The victim, who was stabbed in the neck, remains in Miami Valley Hospital

UPDATE @ 4:04 p.m.:

Part-time Enon police officer Dwight Richard has been cleared by prosecutors and was released from the Montgomery County Jail on Wednesday night.

Tyler Minton remains in custody and was charged with two counts of felonious assault, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said based on the evidence presented to their office, they believe Minton is the person who stabbed the 34-year-old female.

Enon Police Chief Lew Wilcox said Richard is on administrative leave.

UPDATE@3:23 p.m. (July 19):

A day after being released from jail, Richard spoke with this news organization, saying he was never charged with a crime. He was detained as a part of the investigation — as any department has the right to do for 48 hours — and he did not have to post bail to get out, Richard said.

Woman killed in Interstate 75 crash north of Dayton ID'd
He declined further comment because of the pending investigation and until he has the chance to talk to his attorney.

Perry Twp. Police Sgt. William Wortman would not comment on the circumstances of the stabbing or whether Richard was charged.

He says he's meeting with prosecutors shortly to discuss the case.

The stabbing victim was still at Miami Valley Hospital Thursday afternoon, but hospital officials declined to release her condition.

UPDATE @ 10:25 p.m. (July 18): Dwight Richard, 49, the part-time Enon police officer arrested in the stabbing of a woman late Tuesday night, has been released from the Montgomery County Jail. He was not listed as part of the jail roster, according to a check of the online record.

Tyler Minton, 31, also arrested in the same incident, remained in jail pending formal charges.

Enon Police Chief Lew Wilcox said his department is in the process of placing Officer Richard on leave because of his connection to the stabbing.

Richard has been a part-time officer at the Enon department since September 2008.

Richard and Minton were arrested in the 11,000 block of Wolf Creek Pike -- at the same address where the stabbing was reported -- and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on suspicion of felonious assault. Formal charges are pending.

>>Semi driver cited in SB I-75 crash in Miami County that sends 2 to hospital

Richard, when he called 911 to report the stabbing, identified himself as a police officer and asked Minton not to shoot him.

“I’m an off-duty officer,” Richard said in the call. The stabbing was reported about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Richard told authorities the woman had been stabbed in the neck.

“Tyler please don’t shoot me,” Richard said during the 911 call. “I love you please don’t.”

Richard told the 911 dispatcher he was about 100 yards behind the property when police arrived.

“I’ve gone out back because I think he has a weapon,” Richard told the dispatcher. “There are multiple firearms in the house and I believe he has one.”

Police have not said what roles Richard and Minton may have had in the stabbing.

The condition of the woman, whose name has not been released, is not available.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called to assist in the investigation.

Police said the stabbing was an isolated incident, however did not disclose the circumstances that led to the violence.

In the aftermath of the stabbing, evidence markers dotted the road and the driveway of the two-story white house on Wolf Creek Pike.

OTHER LOCAL NEWS: Shooting in Greene County leaves one dead 

We’re working to learn more. This story will be updated as additional information becomes available.

Got a tip? Call our monitored 24-hour line, 937-259-2237, or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com.

0
Comments on this article