Geauga sheriff won’t ID shooter

By DORIS COOK - Staff Writer
Star Beacon

Tue, May 13 2008

— THOMPSON TOWNSHIP — A late Friday night confrontation at a Rustic Pines Mobile Home Park Lot 99 residence, 17748 Rock Creek Road ended in the shooting death of Edgardo Luna Barcelo, 46, of Ashtabula County.
Geauga Sheriff Daniel McClelland during a Monday press conference refused to name the person, who allegedly shot Barcelo one time with a 12-gauge Remington shotgun.
McClelland released little information about the shooter other than he is 34 and father of two young children, ages 4 and 7. The sheriff said Barcelo was identified as the boyfriend of the shooter’s estranged wife.
He lived with her and the two children at 6010 Price Road, Rome Township. McClelland said Barcelo had reportedly lived in Ashtabula County for the past three months and did not reveal any other information about him.
“We have not arrested or charged anyone yet with the shooting death. The case is still under investigation,” McClelland said.
Authorities are trying to determine if it was self-defense or not. The investigation when wrapped up will be presented to the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office, the sheriff said.
A nearby neighbor, Anthony Girbano was identified as making the 911 call to the Geauga County Sheriff’s Department at 11:41 p.m. Friday night. Deputies arrived about 25 minutes later, the sheriff said.
McClelland said that Barcelo and the Thompson man had reportedly exchanged several phone calls during Friday. The sheriff’s office will subpoena phone records between the shooter and his estranged wife’s home in Ashtabula County.
“The homeowner (shooter) told us he feared for his life because of the phone calls made by Barcelo. When Barcelo forced his way into the mobile home, they argued we were told. There was a confrontation and the shooting occurred in the kitchen area,” McClelland said.
Thompson Township police and Ashtabula County sheriff’s deputies assisted at the scene, McClelland said.
Barcelo was found slumped over a small table with one bullet hole in his body. Geauga County coroner, Dr. Kevin Chartrand said two shots were fired. A single bullet hit Barcelo’s heart, liver and right lung lodging inside his body.
Barcelo’s body was taken to Cuyahoga County coroner’s office early Saturday morning for an autopsy. The Geauga coroner’s office is waiting for toxicology reports to see if the Ashtabula man was on drugs or alcohol at the time of his death.
Barcelo’s companion fled the scene in a vehicle parked outside Lot 99 address before deputies arrived. McClelland said they’ve identified the man and are looking for him.