BAXTER L GRIMES FACES NUMEROUS CHARGES

On October 4, 2026, at approximately 12:33 a.m., deputies responded to a 911 call in Grandview Township for a home invasion in which two elderly residents were shot.

New Matamoras Squad and Newport Squad assisted at the scene. Both victims were taken to a local hospital, stabilized, and then transferred to a hospital in Columbus. One victim later died from the gunshot wounds.

Investigators identified Baxter L. Grimes as the suspect. An Everbridge alert was issued, a citizen tip quickly led to a sighting, and detectives took Grimes into custody after a foot pursuit. Detectives also determined he had burglarized another residence in the New Matamoras area earlier that night and stolen a firearm.

Grimes was arrested on the following charges:

• Felony 1 Aggravated Murder

• Felony 1 Attempted Murder

• Felony 1 Aggravated Burglary

• Two counts of Felony 2 Felonious

Assault

• Felony 2 Theft of a Firearm

• Four counts of Felony 3 Tampering with Evidence

• Felony 5 Burglary

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the New Matamoras and Newport squad members, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Washington County Prosecutor’s Office, Ohio Department of Natural Resources and especially residents of New Matamoras and Grandview Township for their help in ending the search quickly.

Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 740-376-7070, ext. 0.

Please keep the victims and their families in your thoughts. 🙏