Killer Shoots Himself During Police Chase

"XENIA, OH — A Xenia man killed himself before police could apprehend him after a high-speed pursuit as part of an apparent murder/suicide.

"Earnest R. Starling Jr., 35, of Springfield, was shot and killed outside a home on East Church Street in Xenia about 1 a.m. Tuesday. The shooter, Chris Fonzi Jr., 31, reportedly came to that address, where his estranged wife lived, and displayed a handgun before forcing his way inside.

"Witnesses told Xenia police Starling and Fonzi argued in the home for several minutes. Fonzi fired several shots inside the home, then chased Starling outside, where he fired two more times. One of those bullets hit Starling in the torso, killing him, said Xenia Detective Scott Anger.

"Police released a description of the white truck Fonzi was seen fleeing in, and Greene County sheriff’s deputies located it on U.S. 35. A high-speed chase ensued, with speeds reaching up to 85 mph. The pursuit ended in Dayton after officers there used stop sticks on Terry Street to deflate the tires on Fonzi’s truck.

"After hitting the stop sticks, Anger said, Fonzi apparently shot himself in his truck. The vehicle hit an RTA pole near Fifth and Terry streets. Fonzi was taken to a hospital but died of the self-inflicted gunshot wound, Anger said. Officers recovered the weapon used in the shooting.

"Starling was visiting Fonzi’s estranged wife and her niece on Church Street when the shooting occurred, said police, who noted Fonzi used to live at that same address."

From the Dayton Daily News...