In reference to Orrville Police Department's Correspondence, reflected below, Director Nicole Williams

From: Cory Seiler Sent: Wednesday, January 7, 2026, 10:59:28 PM To: Nicole Williams Subject: Clarification and Follow-Up Regarding Recent Board Discussion Nicole, Thank you to you and the Mental Health and Recovery Board for bringing to my attention and allowing me to clarify statements that were made at the recent board meeting that did not align with our investigative findings. I appreciate the opportunity to review those points and provide clarification. I did speak with Tiffanie following the meeting, and it appears that we were approaching this incident from two different professional perspectives. From a law enforcement standpoint, conclusions and reports must be strictly evidence-based, whereas a clinical review may appropriately include interpretation or discussion of potential risk indicators. I believe this difference in approach contributed to some of the inconsistencies that were noted. Before addressing those specific points, I do want to emphasize that the collaboration between our agency and Crisis was a major success. As a direct result of this joint response, we were able to connect a community member with needed mental health assistance, and we were also able to remove firearms that were illegally possessed. These outcomes reflect the value of our continued partnership and shared commitment to community safety. For clarity, I would like to address the following points: 1.) There is no evidence to support that a firearm was held directly to a Crisis staff member’s forehead. While we acknowledge that a firearm was shown, discussed, and present in the vicinity of staff, no statements or evidence indicate that it was held to an employee’s head. 2.) We did not recover a manifesto, nor do we have evidence that one exists. This statement appears to have stemmed from concerns expressed by the counseling center regarding prior writings by the involved individual, which were viewed as part of a broader pattern of concerning behavior. However, those writings do not meet the definition of a manifesto in which harm was threatened to the public, nor were they recovered as part of this investigation. 3.) There is no evidence indicating that a mass shooting was planned or that one was prevented in the Orrville community. Based on my conversation with Tiffanie, this statement appears to have been framed from a clinical or training perspective, where certain behaviors may be discussed as potential warning signs. From an investigative standpoint, however, there is no factual basis to support that conclusion. It appears this was largely a matter of miscommunication. I am not requesting that meeting minutes be changed or amended—this is something that can be discussed and decided by the board. My primary concern is ensuring that factual, evidence-based information is accurately understood and conveyed. Should I be contacted regarding these statements by media outlets or concerned citizens, I am obligated to provide only information supported by the investigation, rather than interpretation or opinion. Thank you again for bringing this to my attention and for the continued collaboration.

Cory Seiler Chief of Police Orrville Police Department

207 North Main Street Orrville, Ohio 44667

Phone# (330)684-5058 Fax# (330)684-5151

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