Michael D. Birchfield, 38, of Marion, Ohio, died of a gunshot wound to the torso on March 10, 2021. He was living at the address where the shooting occurred and was taken to Marion General Hospital by the Marion City Fire Department but died shortly after arrival.

Police arrested 38-year-old Jeremy L. Criswell, who also lived at the same residence. Criswell was charged with involuntary manslaughter and weapons under disability. During transport to the Multi-County Correctional Center he became unresponsive, was taken to Marion General Hospital, then released and brought to the correctional center. Marion Police Chief Jay McDonald described the death as preventable and attributed it to unsafe weapons handling. The Marion Police Department, assisted by the county sheriff, prosecutor’s office and fire department, continues to investigate and is asking the community for information.

This was the third homicide reported in Marion in 2021, compared with three for all of 2020. If anyone knew Michael or has information about what happened at the address, please share what can help the investigation.