An Ohio man was killed while attempting to “help a friend in need” escape from her husband during a fight, according to his family and police.
Justice Oney, 24, allegedly shot and killed Nathan Flight, 25, as Flight tried to get Oney’s wife to a safe place amid a domestic dispute between the couple, the Barberton Police Department and local CBS affiliate WOIO report.
“He was just there to talk to her because she was obviously upset and was just in the wrong place at the wrong time,” Barberton Police Officer Marty Eberhart told WOIO, referring to Flight. Flight’s family also spoke to the station about the tragic incident.
Oney allegedly shot Flight while the three were outside near an intersection in Barberton. After the shooting, police say Oney forced his wife into a car at gunpoint and fled the scene. The couple was located a short distance away.
The suspect now faces charges of murder, felonious assault, and abduction.
Despite the severity of the case, Oney was released on bond last Wednesday and is currently on house arrest. This development has left Flight’s relatives feeling both angry and fearful, according to WOIO.
“The judge let the killer out so that he could go home to be with his family,” said Flight’s father, Jason Flight. “I don’t get to see my son again. I’d like to know if Judge Rowland would do the same thing if it were her child, because I don’t think she would.”
Flight’s sister, Sarah Flight, added, “My brother’s life and the loss of his life was worth more than $25,000,” referencing the $250,000 bond Oney paid for his release.
In the wake of the tragedy, Flight’s family launched a GoFundMe campaign describing Nathan’s life as “tragically cut short due to gun violence as he attempted to help a friend in need.”
He is remembered as a “bright and shining light” to those who knew him.
“My heart is broken for my family,” a relative expressed in the GoFundMe description. “My heart is broken for the future that he will never have. For the family he won’t be able to create. For so many generational cycles that I know he would break. This has been devastating to try and accept. It still doesn’t feel real, and it probably won’t for a very long time.”
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https://lawandcrime.com/crime/husband-murders-man-trying-to-help-his-wife-get-away-from-him-judge-lets-the-killer-out-so-that-he-could-go-home-to-be-with-his-family-relatives-and-cops-say/