Alex Melchert ’20 Recovering from I-71 Rest Area Shooting

On Oct. 2, Alexander Merchert ’20 was shot at a rest-stop off of Interstate 71 in Delaware County, Ohio, approximately 60 miles south of campus.

Melchert, who is from Neenah, Wis., was traveling back to Wooster from Columbus with a friend when he stopped at a rest stop in order to use the restroom. Upon exiting the restroom, a man — who would later be identified by police as 25-year-old Shawn Johnson of Westerville, Oh. — confronted Melchert behind his car and shot him six times before fleeing the scene in a car heading northbound on I-71. State troopers chased the vehicle into Richland County, where they deployed road spikes to stop the car, which then spun out into the guardrail. Troopers found Johnson dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Melchert was transported to OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus, where he was admitted in critical condition and underwent surgery in order to stop the severe bleeding. Out of the six shots, five bullets were lodged in his abdomen and another one struck his right arm. Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Scott Brown drove to Columbus to be at the hospital until Melchert’s parents arrived from Wisconsin

On Monday, Oct. 3, a vigil was held in Lowry Center in support of Melchert, who underwent a second surgery earlier that day, this one focused on repairing his diaphragm. At the vigil, coordinated by Brown, Wooster students wrote letters and get-well cards, and joined breakout sessions hosted by the counseling staff from Longbrake Student Wellness Center. Additionally, faith professionals from the Office of Interfaith Campus Ministries and Westminster Presbyterian Church were on hand to provide support for members of the campus community.

The same day, Ohio State Highway Patrol declared the shooting a random act. Patrol Sergeant Vincent Shirey reported that Melchert and Johnson did not appear to have known each other before the attack.

Court documents obtained by Channel Five News in Cleveland revealed that Columbus police issued a warrant for Johnson the day prior to the shooting on charges of domestic violence and assault.

On Oct. 4, Melchert underwent a third and final surgery, this one to repair damage done to his shoulder by the bullet that entered his right arm.

Melchert’s family held a press conference at the hospital on Tuesday night. His parents, Ken and Rebecca Melchert, and his siblings, John and Adriane Melchert, spoke gratefully of the outpouring of support for Alex from the College and his friends back home, and thanked the Wooster community for their well-wishes.

On Oct. 5, Melchert was moved out of the intensive care unit to a step down unit, as he was upgraded from critical to stable condition. His breathing tube was removed and he is now able to speak. Upon being moved, Brown reported that Melchert was making “encouraging progress” even though he must “be under careful observation which such significant abdominal injuries.” Melchert’s father reported to the College that Alex is expected to make a complete recovery from his injuries.