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Prosecutor says 3 kids were at home at time of deadly Lorain County shooting: Watch as suspect Clifford L. Serafine Jr. faces judge

Authorities said it was around 11:12 p.m. Sunday when deputies from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene in the 12500 block of Melody Lane.

LORAIN COUNTY, Ohio — 34-year-old Clifford L. Serafine Jr. -- the suspect in a deadly weekend shooting in which a 29-year-old woman was killed in Eaton Township -- appeared before a judge Tuesday morning where his bond was based on the following charges:

  • Murder: $1 million bond
  • Felonious assault: $150,000 bond
  • Tampering with evidence: $100,000 bond
  • Using weapons while intoxicated: $10,000 bond
  • Domestic violence: $10,000 bond

Serafine did not enter a plea in court Tuesday as the case will be set for a preliminary hearing within 10 days.

As 3News previously reported, authorities said it was around 11:12 p.m. Sunday when deputies from the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene in the 12500 block of Melody Lane.

Upon their arrival, authorities found a woman inside the residence had been shot. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Her name has not been released.

Serafine was taken into custody at the scene.

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PROSECUTOR OUTLINES ALLEGATIONS

During Tuesday’s court hearing, the prosecutor alleged Serafine -- who was reportedly the 911 caller -- had been inconsistent with his story after originally claiming he accidentally shot his wife in the back of the head.

When authorities arrived at the scene, the prosecutor said deputies found Serafine appeared to be “heavily intoxicated” and covered in blood.

"Deputies further note that there were three kids in the home when this took place," the prosecutor said.

During questioning, the prosecutor said Serafine "tried to shift and allege that the victim had shot herself."

The incident is still under investigation by the Lorain County Sheriff’s Office Detective Bureau. Anybody with information is asked to call authorities at 440-329-3710.

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