The Adobe Flash Player is required to view this multimedia interactive. Get it here.

Child found safe; victim in fatal shooting identified

Zane Bedinger, 7, Troy, was reported missing on Thursday, July 8, 2010. He was found with extended family in Carmel, Ind., after an Amber Alert was issued.

Brandon Haskins was identified as the victim of a shooting death in Troy on Thursday, July 8, 2010. Contributed photo from Claybridgespublishing.com.

Claybridgespublishing.com Brandon Haskins was identified as the victim of a shooting death in Troy on Thursday, July 8, 2010. Contributed photo from Claybridgespublishing.com.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Police investigating a fatal shooting issued an Amber Alert for a 7-year-old boy taken from the shooting scene Thursday afternoon at the Towne Park apartments on Troy's west side.

Staff photo by Jim Witmer Police investigating a fatal shooting issued an Amber Alert for a 7-year-old boy taken from the shooting scene Thursday afternoon at the Towne Park apartments on Troy's west side.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Antioch College's free tuition offer attracts 2,500
2/12/12
Tea Party’s impact may be strongest for general election
2/12/12
Bellbrook High threat prompts police to increase security
2/12/12
'Powerball' numbers from $325M jackpot
2/12/12
Education strong determinant with work success
2/12/12
> More headlines

By Doug Page and Nancy Bowman
Staff writers Updated 10:01 AM Friday, July 9, 2010

TROY – Zane Bedinger, the subject of a nationwide Amber Alert following a fatal shooting, was found safe in Indiana around 6 p.m., according to police.

The child was left at a house somewhere in Indiana and then taken to a local police station. Troy police found out around 10:15 p.m. while still investigating the fatal shooting at Town Park apartments on the city's west side.

According to police, Jeff Bedinger killed his stepson Brandon Haskins, 22, and abducted his own 7-year-old son before fleeing to Indiana, Thursday, July 8.

Jeff Bedinger, 50, is 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds and still on the run from police. Police believe he fled the scene in a silver 2007 Honda Accord with Ohio license plate EDT 6246. If you see them, call 911. The suspect is considered armed with a 9 mm and dangerous.

“Do not try to intercede, this subject has been involved in a shooting, and we consider him armed and dangerous. Please call 911 or your local law enforcement authority if you notice the vehicle or this child. Let us do what we do,” Troy Police Capt. Chuck Adams.

The shooting occurred around 4 p.m. Kimberly Bedinger, Zane Bedinger and Haskins's mother, witnessed the shooting. Previously it was believed that she was away from the apartment when it happened. Jeff Bedinger allegedly took his son and fled the scene while Kimberly Bedinger went to a nearby business to call 911.

Zane and his mother lived in the apartment. Haskins did not.

“Mom was out of the house prior to the shooting and arrived back to find this tragedy,” Anderson said.

Dayton police responded at 5:30 p.m. to 553 Shroyer, looking for Bedinger in the story-and-half white bungalow. They closed off a two-block section of Shroyer with eight squad cars. The house is listed as owned by Kimberly and Jeff Bedinger, according to Montgomery County property records.

“He was not there,” Lt. Brian Johns said. Nor was the vehicle or Zane. “Officers forced entry to the house to make sure the boy was not inside,” Johns said.

Kathleen and Michael Niarhos are neighbors to Jeff and Kimberly Bedinger. “They are sweet people. They always stopped and talked to us when they walked their dog,” Kathleen Niarhos said. “Our dogs played together.”

The couple said that changed about two weeks ago when the couple separated. “He told us she took the dog and the boy, Zane, and moved out,” Kathleen Niarhos said.

Her husband said he saw Jeff Bedinger this morning.

At Ginghamsburg Church in Tipp City where the family worshipped, the pastors heard the news around 6:45 p.m.

“We are incredibly saddened,” said Karen Smith, the church’s communication director. She said they were attempting to reach the family to offer whatever assistance is needed.

Share this article