Josiah “Joe” Maloon and Randy Ward II Identified in Darke County Fatal Shooting and Crash Incident; Juanita Maloon Killed in Brutal Attack, Ward Injured in High-Speed Pursuit

Greenville, OH – March 2025 – In an update from the Darke County Sheriff’s Office, new details have emerged regarding the tragic and violent events that transpired on Thursday, March 13, 2025, resulting in the deaths of Josiah “Joe” Maloon, 57, and his wife, Juanita Maloon, 53, as well as the severe injury of Randy Ward II, 47, of Ansonia, OH. The tragic series of events began with a fatal shooting inside the Maloon residence, led to a high-speed chase across rural roads, and ultimately ended in a fatal crash that claimed the life of Josiah Maloon. Authorities have confirmed their identities and have provided further insight into the complex series of violent incidents that unfolded in this small rural community in Darke County.

The Events Leading to the Fatal Shooting

At around 2:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 13, Randy Ward II arrived at the home of Josiah “Joe” Maloon and his wife, Juanita, located at 2535 State Route 571, Greenville. Ward had reportedly been called to the residence by Joe Maloon for a transaction, though the nature of that transaction remains unclear at this time. Upon his arrival, Ward followed Maloon’s instructions and proceeded to retrieve cash from his vehicle, as per Maloon’s request.

It was during this moment that the unthinkable happened. As Ward was outside, Maloon emerged from his home and opened fire on him without warning. Witnesses and investigators believe that Maloon discharged multiple rounds at Ward, striking him several times as he attempted to flee the scene.

The Fatal Shooting of Juanita Maloon

At the same time, within the home, Josiah Maloon had already taken the life of his wife, Juanita Maloon, in a brutal and senseless attack. Darke County Coroner Dr. Susan Brown confirmed that Juanita Maloon died of a gunshot wound to the head. Her death was officially ruled a homicide. Authorities have yet to provide further details about the circumstances leading to the shooting of Juanita Maloon, though it appears that she was an innocent victim caught in the wake of the violent actions of her husband. The nature of their relationship, any potential history of domestic violence, or other factors leading to the attack is under investigation.

Randy Ward’s Escape and the High-Speed Pursuit

Despite being struck by multiple rounds, Randy Ward managed to escape on foot and ran toward his vehicle, a Dodge Challenger. Maloon, not satisfied with merely shooting Ward, began to pursue him in his own vehicle, a Nissan Pathfinder SUV. The chase began almost immediately, with Joe Maloon continuing to fire shots at Ward while also attempting to ram his vehicle off the road.

According to authorities, this high-speed chase, which involved reckless driving and the use of deadly force, stretched across several rural roads in Darke County, culminating on the 9600 block of Coletown-Lightsville Road. During the pursuit, Ward’s vehicle sustained heavy damage, and he was injured by the gunshots, but he managed to keep driving.

Fatal Crash and Maloon’s Death

The violent pursuit came to a dramatic and tragic end when both vehicles crashed into separate fields. Maloon’s Nissan Pathfinder overturned multiple times before coming to a halt. Josiah Maloon was ejected from his vehicle during the crash, and when first responders arrived at the scene, they found him unconscious and unresponsive. Despite the efforts of paramedics to revive him, Maloon was later declared deceased due to the injuries sustained in the crash.

Meanwhile, Ward, still alive but seriously injured, was treated at the scene and was airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital via CareFlight for further medical attention. As of this report, Ward’s condition remains critical, but further updates on his recovery are pending.

Investigation and Forensic Evidence

Investigators recovered a handgun at the crash site near Josiah Maloon’s overturned SUV. Authorities believe this weapon is the same one used in the fatal shooting of Juanita Maloon, as well as the attempted murder of Randy Ward. A forensic examination of the weapon, along with spent shell casings and other evidence from the scene, will help determine the full details of the shootings.

Further analysis was also conducted at the Maloon residence on State Route 571, where investigators discovered additional evidence. This included a white powdery substance in packaging found in the driveway of the home, which will be analyzed to determine its nature and relevance to the case. While the discovery of the substance has yet to be officially confirmed, law enforcement is investigating whether it could be related to drug use or trafficking.

Law Enforcement Response

The response from law enforcement and emergency personnel was swift and extensive, with at least a dozen police cruisers and multiple emergency vehicles at both the Maloon residence and the site of the crash on Coletown-Lightsville Road. Deputies, along with other law enforcement agencies, secured both crime scenes, which were linked by the violent chain of events.

Darke County Sheriff Mark Whittaker provided a statement to the public, confirming that the ongoing investigation pointed to Josiah Maloon as the primary suspect in both the murder of his wife and the shooting of Randy Ward. Sheriff Whittaker assured the public that there were no other suspects in the case and that authorities were not seeking any additional individuals in connection with the crimes.

A Community in Shock

The small, tight-knit community of Greenville, OH, has been left in shock and disbelief following the events of March 13. Family, friends, and neighbors of both the Maloon and Ward families have expressed their horror at the violent and sudden nature of these events. Many have taken to social media to offer condolences to the victims and their families.

Local residents were especially shocked by the fact that such a violent and dramatic crime could happen in their otherwise peaceful rural community. Darke County is typically known for its tight-knit families and a low-crime rate, making this double homicide and high-speed chase even more difficult for residents to comprehend.

As investigations continue, the community is left grappling with the loss of two lives and the violence that shattered their sense of safety.

The Investigation Continues

At this stage, law enforcement officials continue to piece together the evidence surrounding the tragic events of March 13. In addition to forensic analyses of the crime scenes, investigators are looking into any prior incidents of domestic violence or other warning signs that may have signaled Josiah Maloon’s violent tendencies. Interviews with witnesses and family members are ongoing, and authorities are determined to uncover as many details as possible about the relationship between Joe and Juanita Maloon and any factors that could have contributed to this senseless violence.

Sheriff Whittaker concluded by stating, “While the investigation is still in its early stages, we are committed to uncovering the full truth of what occurred that day. We are working closely with our partners in law enforcement, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. We ask the community for patience and understanding as we work through this difficult case.”

Conclusion

The Darke County fatal shooting and crash incident is a heart-wrenching example of a violent, tragic sequence of events that has left two people dead, one severely injured, and an entire community in mourning. The deaths of Josiah and Juanita Maloon, as well as the injury to Randy Ward, have shocked those who knew them and have left local authorities scrambling to understand the events that led up to this senseless tragedy.

As the investigation continues, many questions remain unanswered. What led Josiah Maloon to murder his wife and shoot at Ward? Was there a history of domestic violence or other warning signs that could have prevented this horrific outcome? For now, the answers remain elusive, but law enforcement officials have vowed to continue working tirelessly to bring justice to the victims and their families.

As the investigation progresses and more details emerge, residents of Darke County and beyond are left reflecting on the fragility of life, the depths of violence, and the importance of understanding the signs of distress before tragedy strikes.