Akron, Ohio – A quiet home turned into a deadly crime scene early Saturday when a man allegedly shot and stabbed his girlfriend before attempting to kill her two sons, according to police and family accounts.
Rebecca Guthrie, 44, was found with fatal injuries inside her Miles Avenue home shortly after 2 a.m. Her longtime boyfriend, 38-year-old Gregory Tillman, is accused of attacking her during an argument, then turning his gun toward her children in what authorities describe as a brutal escalation of domestic violence.
Deadly confrontation inside the home
According to investigators, Guthrie was at home with her two adult sons and Tillman when an argument broke out. What began as a routine dispute quickly spiraled into tragedy.
One of Guthrie’s sons, 18-year-old Marquis Terrell, said he initially believed the argument was nothing unusual. But moments later, he heard chaos erupt downstairs.
“I heard gunshots, I heard yelling and screaming, she was yelling ‘stop,’” Terrell said in an interview. “Then he ran upstairs and shot my brother.”
Police say Guthrie suffered multiple stab wounds and a gunshot wound to the head before officers arrived. She was pronounced dead about 20 minutes after they found her inside the living room.
Two sons targeted as violence escalates
Terrell told investigators that Tillman came upstairs after attacking their mother. His 25-year-old brother was struck by a bullet that grazed his head, officials confirmed.
Terrell said Tillman then tried to shoot him next.
“He tried to point the gun at me and shoot me, but it clicked twice,” he said. “My brother wrestled the gun out of his hand. I tried picking up the gun and shooting him with it; it didn’t do anything, so he ran.”
The brothers managed to survive and quickly called 911 for help.
Police response and arrest
Akron officers arrived at about 2:10 a.m. and found Guthrie gravely injured on the living room floor. The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed she suffered both stabbing and gunshot wounds.
Tillman fled the house but was located a short time later down the street. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Summit County Jail with no bond.
Summit County jail records show Tillman now faces charges including murder, assault, domestic violence, vandalism, and having weapons under disability. The surviving son is recovering in the hospital from his head injury.
Growing concerns over domestic violence
The attack adds to a pattern seen by advocates and law-enforcement agencies: domestic disputes that escalate into deadly violence. Officials continue to emphasize the importance of seeking help at early signs of escalating behavior, especially in households dealing with repeated arguments, controlling behavior, or past abuse.
According to national data, more than half of intimate-partner homicides involve firearms, and incidents frequently occur during late-night or early-morning hours when tensions rise behind closed doors. Local support groups in Ohio continue urging community members to watch for warning signs and help loved ones in unsafe relationships.
Community impact and ongoing investigation
Neighbors on Miles Avenue told officers they were shocked by the violence, describing the family as quiet and largely private. Akron detectives are still working to piece together the chronology of events leading up to the homicide and attempted shootings.
More information is expected as the medical examiner completes the full autopsy report and prosecutors determine whether to pursue additional charges.
If you or someone you know is facing threats or abuse, local hotlines and crisis organizations in Ohio can provide immediate, confidential support.
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