Grand jury indicts murder suspect

SANDUSKY — The man accused of fatally shooting a woman and engaging in a standoff with police earlier this month was indicted by a grand jury on Friday. Jerry L. Watkins III, 37, of the 700 block of Sycamore St., faces the following charges, according to a grand jury report: • Two counts of aggravated murder, each an unclassified felony • Two counts of aggravated robbery, each a first-degree felony • One count of kidnapping, a first-degree felony • One count of felonious assault, a first-degree felony • One count of intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case, a third-degree felony • One count of having weapons while under disability, a third-degree felony The shooting occurred on Feb. 4 at a home in the 700 block of Sycamore St., prompting a large-scale police response that began around 5:40 p.m. Sandusky police Chief Jared Oliver previously said that once officers entered the home, they found a woman with multiple gunshot wounds. Police and first responders removed her from the scene and took her to a local hospital, where she later died. An autopsy performed by the Lucas County coroner's office revealed that the victim had sustained three gunshot wounds, Oliver said. Oliver said that during the standoff, Watkins retreated to the second floor, barricaded himself and was armed with a knife. Following the brief standoff, officers and members of the Special Response Team safely took Watkins into custody, where he appeared to have self-inflicted injuries on his neck, arms and chest, Oliver said. Fundraiser created for shooting victim Authorities have not identified the victim, citing the victim's protection bill, Marcy's Law. But in the form of online postings, including a GoFundMe campaign, family and friends identified the victim as Ralonda Perry-Watkins. The GoFundMe, created the day after the shooting, set a $15,000 goal, and as of Friday afternoon, it has raised more than $6,000 toward that goal. Want to donate? Search for "Help Ralonda's Daughters Heal and Stay Together" on gofundme.com.