Person of Interest in Whitaker Shooting was Previously Charged with Menacing

The investigation into the murder of a Mt. Victory man continues.

Hardin County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to the area of County Road 135 near County Road 110 at around 12:35 this past Saturday morning.

They located a vehicle parked in the road, and inside was 44 year old Richard E. Whitaker Jr., who was suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

Whitaker was flown from Hardin Memorial Hospital to St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima where he died late Saturday morning.

Several hours later, a stand-off occurred at a residence on Cherry Street in Dunkirk.

Eventually deputies arrested 47 year old Anthony Browne.

Sheriff Keith Everhart called Browne a person of interest in the homicide investigation.

He is being held in Multi County Jail in Marion on unrelated charges of obstructing official business and resisting arrest.

A check of Browne’s background revealed that he was issued a summons for menacing in July of this year.

According to public records from Hardin County Municipal Court, on the complaint are the words “by stating you were going to kill the victim several times.”

An electronic device was used to allegedly make the threats.

Browne has pleaded not guilty to the charge of menacing, and a trial is scheduled for late October in Municipal Court.

In the meantime, Sheriff Everhart said they are continuing to follow up on all leads and persons of interest as the homicide investigation continues.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office at 419-673-1268.