Two Found Dead in Oberlin Home After Fire Crews Call Police

Two people died in an Oberlin home on Wednesday morning after police responded to a vehicle fire.

Oberlin police officers arrived at the Oberlin College Conservatory lot around 8:57 a.m. to assist fire crews with a smoking vehicle that may have been on fire. Officers located the vehicle owner at the 200 block of Shipherd Circle at 10:19 a.m. and took him into custody. Approximately nine minutes later, police traveled to 33 South Pleasant Street to check on the suspect's family. They found two victims shot dead inside the residence. Pipo Nguyen-Duy, 64, was found on the first floor. A 47-year-old woman was found dead on the second floor.

Carmen Twillie Ambar, president of Oberlin College, identified the man as a professor of studio art and photography. She stated that the college had known him for many years. Nguyen-Duy was a native of Vietnam who immigrated to the United States as a political refugee in 1975. He held a Guggenheim Fellowship and taught at the college since 1998.

Ambar described the event as a deeply challenging moment for the campus. She noted that the college was asked by police to issue a shelter-in-place order. That order was lifted after authorities confirmed there was no danger to the campus or the surrounding community.

The college announced that mental health resources will be available to students, faculty, and staff affected by the death. Oberlin police said the incident remains under investigation.

Police have not released the name of the woman found on the second floor. They have not stated the relationship between the two victims or the suspect.