Everything I did was of my own free will and I take full responsibility,
the suspect declared in a video recorded shortly before his arrest. On Oct. 28, 2026, Oberlin Police discovered 64-year-old Pipo Hieu Nguyen-Duy and his 56-year-old wife, Tran Thi Phong, shot dead inside their home on South Pleasant Street in Oberlin, Ohio. Their 31-year-old son, identified in initial police reports as Daniel Jones and in court by his preferred name Asia Nguyen-Duy, faces six counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault, and one count of evidence tampering. The institution’s president, Carmen Twillie Ambar, noted in a message to the university community that the professor’s death generated profound sadness and announced psychological support for those who needed it.
Court Arraignment And Three Million Dollar Bond Set In Lorain County
Carried into the courtroom by four officers while wearing handcuffs and ankle shackles, Asia Nguyen-Duy appeared before Farah Emeka during an initial hearing on Oct. 29, 2026. Prosecutor Zachary Simonoff requested a $1.5 million bond, but Judge Emeka doubled the amount to $3 million due to the severity of the charges. During the hearing, the accused asked to be identified as Asia Nguyen-Duy and requested neutral pronouns. Defense attorney Jenifer Berki Merrill declined to comment on the allegations against her client. The case will now proceed to a Lorain County grand jury.
Campus Vehicle Discovery And Police Investigation Timeline
The police investigation began at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Oct. 28, 2026, when officers responded to a smoking Toyota vehicle in the parking lot of the Oberlin College Conservatory. The car, registered to the suspect and bearing Oregon plates, featured a makeshift wood-burning chimney protruding from the roof and a taped-over window. Officers located the suspect about 1.6 km away around 10:19 a.m. after receiving a call about a disheveled person in Shipherd Circle. Police noted cuts on his face and hands, at which point he confessed to killing his family and gave officers the address of the home on South Pleasant Street. Police also found a package for a 17-round Glock magazine and two 9-millimeter rounds inside the vehicle.
Family Background, Mental Health Statements, and Community Reaction
The suspect's mother, residing in Oregon, declined to speak with NBC News due to emotional distress but informed investigators that her son currently suffers from psychosis and needs medication. Before his arrest, the accused visited an Oberlin resident to record a video claiming he was fleeing a cult. Pipo Hieu Nguyen-Duy was born in Hue, Vietnam, arriving in the United States as a political refugee in 1975, and had taught studio art and photography at Oberlin College since 1998, earning a Guggenheim Fellowship in Photography in 2011. His work formed part of public collections in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Oberlin Shooting Investigation
What specific charges does the suspect face in court?
The suspect faces six counts of murder, four counts of felonious assault, and one count of tampering with evidence.
Police forced entry into the South Pleasant Street home on Oct. 28, 2026, finding Pipo Hieu Nguyen-Duy on the ground floor and Tran Thi Phong on the second floor, both suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
What legal steps remain in the judicial process?
Following the initial arraignment where bond was set at $3 million by Farah Emeka, the case is scheduled for presentation before a Lorain County grand jury.
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