19-year-old accused of killing his girlfriend, three other felonies

Hatfield is accused of shooting his girlfriend, Lori Estepp, 21, in the head with a pistol at 739 W. Mulberry Street.

He then allegedly wiped off the gun and hid it in a night stand while friends attempted to help Estepp, according to the indictment issued by a Clark County grand jury Tuesday. Estepp was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Hatfield has been charged with reckless homicide, tampering with evidence, weapons under disability and drug abuse — all felonies. He’s being held at the Clark County Jail.

Estepp had three children, one of whom Moody said was upstairs at the time of the shooting but wasn’t harmed. The children have been placed with relatives.

All deaths are investigated as homicides until proven otherwise, Moody said. The initial Sept. 7 police report indicated it was an “unspecified death” while officers collected evidence, according to police records.

Neighbor Louisa Cogan said she was terrified the children were hurt when she saw emergency vehicles in front of the home the night of Sept. 7.

“There was a woman that (ran) out the door screaming with blood on her,” Cogan said. “I was worried that everybody was OK.”

Friends and neighbors said Hatfield allegedly told them Estepp committed suicide. However, both Cogan and Estepp’s roommate, Mark Picente, said they don’t believe it.

“Just if you knew Dustin and seen how he treated her,” Picente said.

Sherry Gaines, who lived next door to the couple, said she was frustrated Hatfield wasn’t arrested sooner.

“I am from Springfield, and I have never seen the likes of this where everyone in the neighborhood was told she committed suicide,” Gaines said. “I don’t understand why they didn’t (arrest him) then.”

On Sept. 16, Hatfield got married. His new wife, Betty, of Tipp City, said she believes he is innocent.

“We don’t talk about that night — it is really none of my business ... but as far as I know he looked me dead in my face and told me he didn’t do it,” Betty Hatfield said.

Hatfield was at his wife’s home when he was arrested. Betty Hatfield said it has been difficult explaining to their 1-year-old child and her two kids from a previous relationship what happened to him.

“He is a very loving person,” she said. “If you know him, like truly know him, you would know that Dustin would not do this.”

No bond has been set in the case. Police expect an arraignment to be scheduled Friday in Clark County Common Pleas Court.

Staff writer Mark McGregor contributed to this report.