In a tragic incident at an Ohio bar, a man was fatally shot while performing karaoke by the ex-husband of his girlfriend. The suspect, 59-year-old Richard Lindgren, is facing murder charges for the death of 42-year-old Benjamin Hawk, as reported by the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. The shooting occurred just before midnight on July 11 at Louie’s Corner House in Buckeye Lake, where deputies found Hawk with a fatal gunshot wound to the back of his head.
According to a criminal complaint reviewed by Law&Crime, Hawk and his girlfriend were enjoying an evening of karaoke on the outdoor patio when Lindgren approached Hawk from behind and shot him with a small handgun. The incident was witnessed by several bar patrons who immediately called 911 and pursued Lindgren.
Following the shooting, Lindgren fled the scene in his vehicle. A nationwide alert was issued for Lindgren and his car. The following day, police in Orangeburg, South Carolina, located Lindgren through traffic cameras. He was pulled over and taken into custody, and is currently awaiting extradition back to Ohio.
Debbie Williamson, the owner of the bar, was present during the incident. She initially mistook the gunshot for a firecracker, only realizing the gravity of the situation when she saw patrons chasing Lindgren. Williamson, whose family has owned the bar for 50 years, said this was an unprecedented event at the establishment.
Hawk was in the middle of his karaoke performance when he was shot, according to Williamson. Those who knew Hawk are mourning his loss. His brother, in a GoFundMe post, remembered Hawk as a person loved by many and a talented karaoke performer. Hawk leaves behind two children.
The incident has left a deep impact on the community. Hawk’s brother described him as a person who never met a stranger and always looked out for those around him. He was known for his generosity, often going without to help someone in need.