A 72-year-old man has been jailed on multiple charges after allegedly attempting to kill his wife, believing she had poisoned his deviled eggs with Tylenol. The incident led to a tense standoff with police on March 13.
Ronald Wayne Coots Found Armed and Injured
According to WKRC, police responded to a call about a man walking around the residence with a gun. When authorities arrived, they found Ronald Wayne Coots on the porch, holding a rifle and bleeding from a self-inflicted wound on his arm. Initially, Coots refused to drop the weapon, but he eventually complied with police orders.
Coots’ Alarming Claims About His Wife
Coots told investigators that he believed his wife, Betty Coots, had poisoned his deviled eggs by adding Tylenol. He allegedly stated, “I should’ve blew her brains out,” according to an arrest citation obtained by WKRC.
Investigation and Security Footage
When authorities searched the Coots’ home, they found a bloody handprint on the bathroom door, where Coots had confronted his wife. Home security footage showed Coots leaving the house with a shotgun, with Betty Coots shutting the door behind him. He allegedly pointed the gun at the door and demanded that she open it. Betty Coots then called the police.
Breaking Into the Home and Confrontation
Reports from People indicate that while Betty Coots was on the phone with police, Coots broke a living room window to gain access to the home. Armed and angry, he allegedly ordered his wife to come outside because he “didn’t want to kill her inside.”
Coots Arrested and Facing Multiple Charges
Ronald Wayne Coots was arrested and charged with burglary, wanton endangerment, unlawful imprisonment, terroristic threatening, menacing, and possession of a prescription controlled substance in an improper container. After receiving treatment for his arm injury at the hospital, he was jailed.
Court Appearance Scheduled
Coots is scheduled to appear in court on March 26.
