UPPER SANDUSKY, Ohio — Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect information from a GoFundMe started by Riebel's husband's family and information from the suspect's arraignment Tuesday.
Police have charged a 27-year-old Upper Sandusky man with murder after they say he killed a female employee at a Dollar Tree store Sunday afternoon with a machete.
Authorities apprehended Bethel M. Bekele a short time after the incident when they observed he had parked his car in front of the Wyandot County Sheriff's Office, Upper Sandusky police said Monday.
Bekele surrendered himself when officers approached his vehicle, police said.
Police discovered 22-year-old Keris L. Riebel, a Dollar Tree cashier, dead when they arrived at the store around 4:30 p.m. in response to a call about a man waving a machete around the store.
"While investigating the incident, it was learned Bekele entered the store with the machete, approached Riebel, and struck her numerous times with the machete," Upper Sandusky police said in a news release Monday.
Police also said Monday a motive was unclear and it is unknown if Riebel and Bekele have a previous relationship.
An autopsy will be performed by the Lucas County coroner, Upper Sandusky police said.
The incident is under investigation by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Wyandot County Major Crimes Task Force.
Bekele was arraigned in Upper Sandusky Municipal Court Tuesday. He was giving a court-appointed attorney. A preliminary hearing in the case has been scheduled for Jan. 11.
Riebel and her husband, Jordan, were newlyweds, according to a GoFundMe organized by Jordan's relatives. The campaign, which met its goal of $30,000 on Monday night, supports funeral costs and other expenses.
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