Two Arrested on Murder Charges in Fatal Delaware County Shooting of Tamela Dutcher; Victim’s Daughter Charged with Obstruction

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Two men from Delaware, Ohio, have been arrested and charged with murder following the overnight fatal shooting of a 55-year-old woman on Bean Oller Road, according to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. The victim’s daughter also faces a related charge.

Shortly after midnight on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, 9-1-1 received a call from a Bean Oller Road resident reporting shots fired in or near the home. The caller indicated his wife had been shot. First responders arrived within minutes, and the victim was transported to a hospital. She later died from apparent gunshot wounds.

The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office identified the victim as Tamela D. Dutcher of Bean Oller Road, Delaware, Ohio. The office extended its condolences to her family and friends.

At 5:25 p.m. on Aug. 14, detectives with the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, assisted by the multi-agency Delaware Tactical Unit, executed a search warrant in Delaware, Ohio. They took into custody without incident 21-year-old Dajameous Payne and 20-year-old Christian Evans, both of Delaware. Both were arrested on the charge of murder. Additional charges may follow. They were taken to the Delaware County Jail and will likely be arraigned on Monday.

Additionally, 18-year-old Bryanna Dutcher of Delaware, the daughter of the victim, has been charged with obstruction of justice.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation assisted sheriff’s detectives in processing the crime scene. Detectives continue speaking with interested parties as part of the investigation, which is being treated as a possible homicide.

Multiple agencies responded to the incident, including the police departments of Delaware, Powell, and Sunbury, the State Highway Patrol, and Liberty Township Fire.

At this time, there is no imminent danger to the public. The Delaware County Sheriff’s Office stated that additional updates will follow as the case progresses.

All individuals charged are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The investigation remains ongoing.

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