South Vienna man killed at East Blee residence

A South Vienna man died Saturday morning after authorities said he was shot while trespassing at a home in the 800 block of East Blee Road.

Authorities identified the man as Mark W. Owen, 41, of 812 Sylvan Shores Drive. Deputies said they responded to the home shortly before 7 a.m., after a woman woke to find Owen standing on her back porch, wearing a burgundy sweatshirt, shorts and running shoes.

Information from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office showed the woman reported someone was trying to get into her house. Before dialing 911, the woman called her next-door neighbor, who arrived and confronted Owen with a shotgun, according to Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly.

Owen became aggressive, according to information from the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and the neighbor shot him once in the upper torso. Kelly said Owen was armed with a rock.

Upon arrival, first responders began providing emergency first aid, until the members of the Hustead Emergency Medical Services took over treatment. Owen was taken by medical helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital, where he died.

An autopsy is pending with the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. Investigators from that office could not be reached for comment Saturday afternoon.

It is not yet clear why Owen was at the home or how he arrived there. Kelly said none of the residents in the neighborhood could identify Owen, and he was not carrying any identification.

Owen’s family members declined to comment Saturday afternoon.

A woman who knew Owen arrived at the scene after the shooting, and was interviewed by authorities, Kelly said. Deputies also interviewed the neighbor and the homeowner. Kelly said it is too early to determine whether the neighbor will face any charges.

Some of Owen’s clothes, including a belt, were found in a field near the road, Kelly said.

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