MAUMEE, Ohio — Editor's note: The story originally said that the children in the home witnessed the shooting. The story has been edited to reflect that there were indeed children in the home, but they did not witness the shooting.
Police say one man and one woman are dead in a murder-suicide in Maumee Monday morning.
This happened at a home on the 1800 block of Craig Road near the Anthony Wayne Trail just after midnight.
Police say 35-year-old John Paul Belew of Toledo shot 31-year-old Melissa Shoop of Maumee, then shot himself.
When officers arrived on scene they tried to render first aid for the man and woman; shortly after arrival, Maumee Fire crews pronounced them dead.
Police say they were in a relationship and have some children together, and the shooting appears to be a domestic situation as the couple recently decided to separate.
However, the motive of the shooting is still unclear at this time.
Police say several adults witnessed the shooting.
There were three children in the home at the time, but they did not witness the shooting.
The shooting happened on the front porch of the home.
According to court records, Belew has a history of domestic violence. He has faced violent charges four times in Maumee Municipal Court against Melissa Shoop, with an incident as recent as this past Friday.
CASES
October 18, 2019
Records indicated that Belew was charged with assault and robbery on Friday following an incident that involved Shoop. A police report stated that Belew was hiding in Shoop's car which was in her driveway when she arrived home. Shoop told police that Belew got out of the car, so Shoop told him to leave and began to call police.
Shoop reported that she had a no contact order through Toledo that was ordered by a judge as a result of a pending case. The police report stated that Belew took Shoop's cell phone away and when she tried to get it back, Belew elbowed her in the nose and took off running with her phone.
Police tried to ping Belew's cell phone to locate him, but were unable to find him.
Shoop did not have any obvious signs of injury following Friday's assault, but filled out a statement of domestic violence. Shoop told police that Belew was homeless.
May 8, 2018
According to court records, Shoop called 911, screaming, from Maumee Stamping Plant. When police arrived on scene, they witnessed a red vehicle occupied by two white males leave the secured area and flee toward Ford.
Shoop told officers that she had two children with Belew, but that they did not live together. She had not seen him in about a month at that point.
Shoop said that Belew was contacting her via phone about deleting her Facebook account. Belew allegedly told Shoop that he was going to come to her work, but did not say anything further. Shoop's brother drove her to work and when they arrived in the parking lot, Belew was waiting outside the gate fence. Shoop told police she had advised her brother to keep going. When the gate opened, Shoop said Belew ran through the gate and into the parking lot. Shoop got out of the vehicle to go into work and told police that Belew ran toward her.
Shoop reported that she feared for her safety. She fell backward to prevent him from trying to hurt her. She did not see him make any gestures or make any threats, but did not know what his intentions were.
Shoop had only been working at the stamping plant for about two weeks and while Belew had never been to that location, Shoop told police that he had showed up to other work places in the past.
Two men from the plant allegedly told Belew that he needed to leave. Multiple witnesses saw Belew sneak through the gate and run toward Shoop.
March 19, 2019, Belew turned himself in. He was taken into custody and processed without incident. He was then released to the court.
August 17, 2019
Shoop made a written statement of domestic violence, but accidentally put the date and address where the report was made instead of the incident location.
On August 20, Shoop completed a written statement with the accurate date and location. On that date, an officer arrested Belew after he turned himself in at the Maumee Court. The suspect was processed and held for the court without incident.
April 26, 2017
Just before midnight, Maumee Court Bailiff Grant Tansel contacted Maumee Police in regards to an unruly subject who was in custody in the court room and was requesting police assistance.
Upon arrival, police reported that they could hear Belew yelling, who was directed to the court holding facility. When officers arrived at the cell area, they saw that the smaller west side cell had its door window shattered and the subject inside, Belew, was inside yelling that he had "broke his hand" and that he "had to be taken to the hospital."
Belew was told to calm down. He responded by threatening officers in the room.
Officers opened the cell door and stepped in. He was given verbal commands to which he readily complied although police report he remained agitated.
A medic was called to the scene to examine Belew, after which he was transported to St. Lukes Hospital for further examination.
Local advocate in the fight against domestic violence speaks out
After the incident happened, leaders in the fight against domestic violence are reaching out to the community to let people know what to look out for, and what to do, in these types of situations before they escalate.
The YWCA in downtown Toledo is one of two domestic violence shelters in the city and the only one open 24/7.
Interim director Shelly Ulrich said victims should reach out to trusted loved ones when it's safe. She added it's important to get important information and documents together, such as birth certificates, licenses and finances.
But Ulrich said what most important is victims shouldn't be afraid to ask for help.
"We really encourage you to begin to plan and begin to think about reaching out to those you trust, those who you can go to in the event that something happens, or if you're not able to speak specifically about it, you can come up with code names or code words that they would know that it's critical," Ulrich said.
When kids are involved, Ulrich said that adds a whole new dynamic that will likely add trauma to their lives. Again, her advice is to reach out and seek help, so situations don't escalate and everyone remains safe.
A Facebook page dedicated to help Shoop's family with funeral expenses can be found here.
If you or someone you know is suffering domestic violence, below are list of programs designed to help.
Domestic Violence Programs
24-Hour Crisis Response - 419-245-3324
Children's Advocacy Center/Children Who Witness Violence Project - 419-292-2927
Domestic Violence Resource Center - 419-213-2700
Family & Child Abuse Prevention Center - 419-244-3053
Lucas County Children Services - 419-213-3200
Lucas County Victim-Witness Assistance - 419-213-4591
Unison Health - 419-241-4673
United Way - 211
YWCA Domestic Violence Shelter - 888-341-7386
Law Enforcement
Emergency - 911
Holland Police Department - 419-865-7105
Lucas County Sheriff’s Department - 419-213-4949
Lucas County Sheriff’s Department Booking - 419-213-4960
Maumee Police Department - 419-897-7000
Oregon Police Department - 419-691-5787
Ottawa Hills Police Department - 419-531-4211
Sylvania Police Department - 419-885-8900
Toledo Police Department - 419-245-1132
Washington Local Police Department - 419-726-0478
Waterville Police Department - 419-878-6666
Whitehouse Police Department - 419-877-5383
Support Groups
Unison Health - 419-241-4673
YWCA - 419-241-3235
Prosecuting Attorneys
Lucas County - 419-213-4700
Maumee City - 419-897-7085
Oregon City - 419-698-7050
Sylvania City - 419-885-8920
Toledo City - 419-936-2385
Shelters
Call 9-1-1 for housing information.
Beach House Family Shelter - 419-241-9277
Cocoon (Bowling Green - 1-419-352-1545
Family House - 419-242-5505
La Posada - 419-244-5931
Safety Net (teens 12-17) - 419-206-0926
Sparrow’s Nest - 419-321-1835
Toledo Rescue Mission - 419-242-6642
YWCA Women’s Shelter - 419-241-7386