Murder-Suicide Reported at Orrville Power Plant; Investigation Ongoing
ORRVILLE, OH — A shooting incident at the Orrville Power Plant on Thursday afternoon has been confirmed as a murder-suicide, according to a press release from Orrville Police Chief Cory M. Seiler.
Officers with the Orrville Police Department were dispatched at approximately 3:17 p.m. on January 22, 2026, to the 1100 block of Perry Street following reports of shots fired at the power plant. Upon arrival, officers secured the scene and located two adult males in a parking lot suffering from apparent gunshot wounds.
Emergency medical services were immediately coordinated, and the area was quickly secured. Authorities emphasized that there was no active or ongoing threat to the public at any time during the incident.
A preliminary investigation determined that the suspect, Robert R. Simon, 69, of Wooster, approached the victim—identified as a 46-year-old male—and discharged a firearm, striking him. Following the shooting, Simon sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
The victim was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. Despite medical intervention, he later succumbed to his injuries.
Multiple agencies responded and assisted at the scene, including the Orrville Fire Department, Wooster Police Department, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI). BCI has assumed the lead in the investigation, which remains active as investigators work to determine the circumstances leading up to the incident.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact BCI at 855-224-6446.
Following the incident, Orrville Mayor Matt Plybon addressed the community in a statement posted on Facebook:
“Earlier today, a shooting incident occurred at the Orrville Power Plant. First responders immediately secured the scene, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. One employee was injured, and our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. The individual responsible is deceased. The incident remains under active investigation, and the Orrville Police Department is working closely with the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. We will share updates as confirmed information becomes available. We appreciate the community’s patience as we work to gather all the facts surrounding this tragic event.”
Authorities say additional details will be released as the investigation continues and verified information becomes available.
