Richard Lee Altomare Sr., 59, a businessman and owner of Old Crestview Middle School property in Columbiana, Ohio and of Altomare Welding Inc. in Leetonia, was found shot to death inside the school on September 19, 1999, around 11:00 a.m. The Columbiana County Coroner ruled the cause of death a homicide after multiple gunshot wounds. He was reportedly at the property to meet someone while the building was being managed as a potential rental.

Investigators have described the probe as difficult: nearly 20 people were called to testify before grand juries and authorities have said they do have a suspect but are not limiting the inquiry to that person, noting the possibility that more than one individual was involved and that motive may have been greed. No arrests or formal charges have been announced. The family has criticized how the case was handled; in August 2000 Altomare’s son, Richard Jr., called for prosecutor Robert Herron to step aside and the family sued for access to investigative records.

Anyone with information about Altomare’s movements that morning or about contacts arranging meetings at the Old Crestview property is asked to come forward.