Dixon house fire victim identified; shots believed to have come from burned home

Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach has released an update on last week’s house fire in Dixon, identifying the deceased victim as 67 year old Jeffrey Gillespie of Dixon.

In the release dated March 3, 2026, Sheriff Riggenbach said the initial call about the fire included a report that someone may have fired multiple rounds into a neighboring home.

Deputies later located multiple bullet holes in the neighboring residence. Based on information and evidence collected at the scene, the sheriff’s office believes the shots came from the home that burned down and were fired by Gillespie.

The sheriff’s office has not released additional details in the update.