College professor and his wife shot dead by 31-year-old who knocked on neighbor's door with scratches on their face: Police

An Ohio resident faces multiple felony charges, including murder, after allegedly shooting and killing their father and stepmother in Oberlin, according to Lorain County court records and statements made by prosecutors during an initial court hearing.

Authorities identified the suspect as 31-year-old Asia Nguyen-Duy. The victims were identified as 64-year-old Pipo Nguyen-Duy, a professor of studio art and photography at Oberlin College, and 56-year-old Tran Thi Phong. The incident took place at a residential property on South Pleasant Street in Oberlin, located about 35 miles southwest of Cleveland.

Incident Overview

According to statements from the Oberlin Police Department and Lorain County Prosecutor Zachary Simonoff, the sequence of events began on a Wednesday morning when emergency responders were alerted to a domestic incident involving multiple locations in Oberlin. The response was triggered after the Oberlin Fire Department reported a smoking vehicle parked near the Oberlin Conservatory on South Pleasant Street.

Upon inspecting the vehicle, police officers discovered physical evidence inside, including ammunition and a handgun magazine. Shortly after, officers responded to Shipherd Circle following reports of a disheveled individual knocking on a door. Prosecutor Simonoff stated in court that the suspect asked a neighbor to record a video, taking responsibility for their actions while claiming to escape a cult. The suspect subsequently directed officers to a home on South Pleasant Street, where police discovered two people dead from apparent gunshot wounds.

Timeline of Events

1. Wednesday Morning: Oberlin Fire Department officials locate a smoking vehicle near the Oberlin Conservatory on South Pleasant Street and alert police.
2. Wednesday Morning: Responding officers inspect the vehicle, registered to Asia Nguyen-Duy, and recover a 17-round Glock magazine and two 9 mm rounds.
3. Wednesday Morning: A disheveled individual knocks on a neighbor's door on Shipherd Circle, asking to record a video statement admitting responsibility.
4. Wednesday Morning: Oberlin Police respond to Shipherd Circle, where the suspect directs officers to a home on South Pleasant Street.
5. Wednesday Morning: Police enter the South Pleasant Street residence, locate the deceased victims, and take Asia Nguyen-Duy into custody.
6. Thursday: The suspect appears in a Lorain County court for a hearing, where a judge orders Asia Nguyen-Duy held on a $3 million bond.

Suspect Information

Asia Nguyen-Duy, age 31, is an Oberlin resident who identifies as gender neutral. Court records show the suspect legally changed their name from Daniel Jones in 2025. Law enforcement records indicate the suspect was registered as the owner of the smoking vehicle found near the Oberlin Conservatory. According to statements made by prosecutor Zachary Simonoff, when investigators contacted the suspect's mother in Oregon, she told officials her child was experiencing a psychotic episode and needed medication.

Victim Information

The victims of the fatal shooting were identified as Pipo Nguyen-Duy, 64, and Tran Thi Phong, 56. Pipo Nguyen-Duy worked as a professor of studio art and photography at Oberlin College. He lived with Tran Thi Phong at the South Pleasant Street residence where the victims were found.

Police Response

The Oberlin Police Department and the Oberlin Fire Department coordinated the initial emergency response across the multiple locations. Firefighters first arrived at the disabled vehicle near the Oberlin Conservatory, securing the area before handing the investigation over to police. Officers then responded to Shipherd Circle after receiving reports of a wet, disheveled individual. Officers evaluated the suspect, observed physical injuries, secured the scene, and dispatched an entry team to the South Pleasant Street home, where they discovered the crime scene.

Investigation

The homicide investigation is being led by the Oberlin Police Department. Investigators surveyed both the vehicle scene near the conservatory and the interior of the South Pleasant Street residence, which contained blood throughout the home. Law enforcement agencies are searching for secondary physical evidence, as the firearm used in the shootings and a fanny pack believed to have been worn by the suspect during the incident have not yet been located by investigators.

Evidence Collected

• A 17-round Glock firearm magazine recovered from the vehicle near the Oberlin Conservatory.
• Two unspent 9 mm ammunition rounds found inside the suspect's registered vehicle.
• A video recording captured by a neighbor on Shipherd Circle containing statements made by the suspect.
• Physical evidence and blood spatter gathered by crime scene technicians from inside the South Pleasant Street home.

Arrest Details

Asia Nguyen-Duy was taken into custody by Oberlin Police officers on Shipherd Circle after officers responded to reports of a wet and disheveled individual. At the time of contact, officers observed scratches on the suspect's face and injuries to their arm and hand. According to police reports cited by prosecutor Zachary Simonoff, the suspect told officers that they killed their family and provided the South Pleasant Street address where the victims were located.

Charges Filed

Asia Nguyen-Duy faces several serious statutory charges under Ohio criminal law:

• Murder: Under Ohio Revised Code section 2903.02, murder involves purposefully causing the death of another person. It carries a mandatory sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment for each count upon conviction, in addition to financial fines. The prosecution must prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused acted with specific intent to cause death.
• Felonious Assault: Under Ohio Revised Code section 2903.11, felonious assault is a second-degree felony occurring when a person knowingly causes serious physical harm to another or causes physical harm by means of a deadly weapon. A second-degree felony conviction in Ohio carries a prison term ranging from two to eight years per count.
• Tampering with Evidence: Under Ohio Revised Code section 2921.12, tampering with evidence is a third-degree felony that occurs when an individual alters, destroys, conceals, or removes any evidence with the purpose to impair its availability in an official proceeding or investigation. A third-degree felony carries a potential prison term ranging from nine to 36 months.

Court Information

Initial legal proceedings took place in Lorain County court in Ohio. During the preliminary appearance held on Thursday, the court addressed formal charges and bail conditions. Prosecutor Zachary Simonoff represented the state during the hearing, presenting initial findings from police reports. The court ordered Asia Nguyen-Duy held on a $3 million bond as formal court proceedings advance.

Statements from Authorities

During the court hearing, Lorain County Prosecutor Zachary Simonoff detailed statements made by the suspect to neighbors and responding officers. "He told her that he did not want the police involved. In the video, he identifies himself as Asia Nguyen-Duy, says he's escaping a cult and also says, 'Everything I did was on my own accord and I take full responsibility,'" Simonoff stated. Simonoff also recounted the suspect's statement to officers: "He told the officers that he killed his family." The Oberlin Police Department previously released a statement confirming that officers responded to an incident "believed to be of a domestic nature."

Public Safety Information

Law enforcement officials stated that the incident was domestic in nature and that the suspect was taken into custody without further threat to the community. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Oberlin Police Department or call 911 in an emergency. For individuals experiencing emotional distress or mental health crises, support is available 24 hours a day through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

What Happens Next

Following the initial bond hearing, the criminal case will proceed through standard felony procedures in Ohio. The Lorain County Prosecutor's Office will present evidence to a grand jury to seek a formal indictment. If indicted, the case will transfer to the Lorain County Court of Common Pleas for formal arraignment, where the defendant will enter a plea. Pre-trial procedures will include discovery exchanges, potential psychiatric or competency evaluations, status conferences, and pre-trial motions prior to any scheduled trial date.