NEWCOMERSTOWN — Deputies from the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office shot a 36-year-old man who aimed a semi-automatic shotgun at them on Wednesday morning after a five-hour standoff.

John P. Mozena, III, was shot about four times, according to Sheriff Orvis Campbell. The shooting occurred at 8:31 a.m.

"The moment he hit the ground, and being honest, the deputies went into life-saving mode," he said. "They went over and secured the weapon, and immediately began first aid, including applying a tourniquet and patching wounds."

Tri-County EMS, which staged nearby during the incident, arrived shortly afterward.

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"I felt like I called for them on the radio, and like 30 seconds later, the sirens were coming," Campbell said. They took Mozena to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in Canton where he underwent surgery.

He has since been transferred to Cleveland Clinic Akron General, where he is expected to have another surgery, Campbell said Thursday. The suspect was shot in the leg and shoulder, according to the sheriff, who said the Mozena had his eyes open and his breathing tube removed on Thursday. He said a deputy has been assigned to guard Mozena, who is expected to be charged criminally soon.

Wednesday's incident began when the suspect's stepmother called the sheriff's office at 3:28 a.m. because Mozena had shot in his father's direction, Campbell said.

The son initially became upset after he parked his truck at Speedway on Morris Crossing Avenue, went inside and returned to the parking lot to find the vehicle missing, Campbell said. The son thought his father had taken it, according to Campbell. But the truck, which had no emergency brake, slipped out of gear and rolled into a canal, Campbell said.

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The son went home to 5969 U.S. Route 36, where he got a gun.

"The dad wrestles him for the gun, but can't get it," Campbell said. "He does not shoot off the gun at his dad, but he shoots off the gun numerous times in the dad's vicinity, in the air, in the ground, that kind of stuff."

His stepmother then called the sheriff's office.

After 3:30 a.m., personnel from the sheriff's office were able to see Mozena, who lives in a horse trailer outfitted with living quarters.

"He was yelling and screaming," Campbell said. "You could see that he had a firearm and some other weapons. He had a sword."

Campbell said he and deputies watched Mozena until daylight, when they decided to come up with a plan to talk to him because his phone was turned off.

"At one point, when he saw guys coming from behind his residence, he quickly ... ran and got the gun, which was a long gun, a shotgun, and he took cover behind the corner of the trailer," Campbell said. "He took aim on the deputies and that's when they fired. We did hit him several times. I'm not sure how many."

After the shooting, a homemade bomb was found inside the suspect's home. The Summit County Sheriff's Office Bomb Squad removed and dismantled the bomb, Campbell said. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is investigating.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the shooting.

The sheriff said 12 deputies responded to the scene, in addition to detectives, the crime scene unit, the SWAT team, BCI and himself.

"We've had other issues with him, and they've always ended up a little better than this one," Campbell said.

The suspect was previously charged with arson after a Nov. 9 incident in which he set his truck on fire. The charge was dismissed without prejudice in Tuscarawas County Court Southern District in Uhrichsville on Nov. 16. 

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Reach Nancy at 330-364-8402 or nancy.molnar@timesreporter.com.