A Barberton, Ohio family’s lives changed forever this New Years Eve.
The victims, Ashley Carpenter, 18 and her brother David Kohler Carpenter, 14 were visiting their father, John Kohler and his girlfriend Ronda Blankenship over the New Year’s holiday at their Seventh Street home when two armed men entered the apartment believed to be intent on robbing them.
About 6:50 p.m., Barberton police received a call for help. When they arrived, they found all four victims shot. Ashley and David were pronounced dead at the scene. Kohler and and Blankenship were transported to Akron area hospitals.
The terrifying 911 call from Ronda Blankenship paints a picture of the aftermath of a shooting New Year’s Eve that left her and her boyfriend wounded and his two teenage children dead.
“Help, help,” a wounded Blankenship pleads to a dispatcher in the conversation released Thursday by Southwest Summit Communications. “I’m bleeding everywhere … my boyfriend is here. I have two kids here … Help, help, help. Oh God.”
Barberton Police said the criminals had targeted the home and were attempting to steal drugs and money when they entered before 7 p.m. Dec. 31.
The Summit County Medical Examiner on Thursday said Ashley died from a single gunshot to the head, and David from multiple gunshot wounds to the head. An autopsy is scheduled Monday for Kohler, who was pronounced dead at Akron City Hospital at 3:45 p.m. Friday.
Kohler, 42, was kept alive on life support in Akron City Hospital until 3:45 p.m. Friday, when he was pronounced dead, the medical examiner said.
Blankenship remains in critical condition at MetroHealth Medical Center in Cleveland.
Barberton Police on Friday arrested and charged Akron brothers Michael, 22, and Eric Hendon, 30, with three counts of aggravated murder.
Police were led to the Hendons from both information gathered and evidence collected at the scene.
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