Ohio Woman Convicted for Shooting Stranger at Party Over Husband and Boyfriend Bonding
A furious woman in Ohio has been convicted of attempted murder after opening fire on a house party where her estranged husband and boyfriend were bonding, shooting an innocent stranger in the process. Olivia Clendenin, aged 29, was found guilty on multiple charges last week following the violent incident that unfolded during a New Year's Eve celebration.
Violent Outburst Following Domestic Dispute
Prosecutors from the Warren County Prosecutor's Office argued that Clendenin became enraged upon discovering her estranged husband and current boyfriend socialising together at the same party, which she had also attended. After unsuccessfully attempting to persuade her husband to leave the gathering, Clendenin departed in a fury only to return around 5am armed with a .40 caliber shotgun.
From inside her mother's 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee, Clendenin fired eight shots toward the residence, with one striking a 29-year-old male victim who was sitting on the front porch. The bullet hit him in the abdomen, causing life-threatening injuries that nearly proved fatal.
Innocent Victim Caught in Crossfire
Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell emphasised the tragic circumstances surrounding the attack, noting that 'the victim had simply been invited to a New Year's Eve party and found himself in the middle of Clendenin's barrage of gunfire.' The man, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was an unintended target who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Clendenin's mugshot, which captured her grinning gleefully following her arrest, has circulated widely, adding to the disturbing nature of the case. She was convicted on Friday of four serious charges including:
- Two counts of felonious assault
- Discharging a firearm into a home
- Attempted murder
Chaotic Escape Attempt and Arrest
Following the shooting, Clendenin attempted to flee the scene but crashed her mother's Jeep into a guardrail and utility pole. She was arrested at the crash site and initially pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. Despite this plea, she was released on bail under strict conditions including electronic monitoring and a no-contact order prohibiting communication with any witnesses involved in the case.
Prosecutor Fornshell delivered a stark warning about Clendenin's future, stating: 'Clendenin may have started 2025 as a free person but will spend the rest of 2026 and at a minimum the decade thereafter incarcerated for attempting to murder at least one of her romantic interests—albeit striking and almost killing an innocent victim.'
Sentencing Awaits Investigation
Currently, a sentencing date has not been scheduled as authorities await the completion of a pending pre-sentence investigation. This comprehensive assessment will likely examine Clendenin's background, mental state, and the full circumstances surrounding the violent episode before determining an appropriate punishment.
The case has drawn significant attention in Warren County and beyond, highlighting the devastating consequences of domestic disputes escalating into public violence. It serves as a sobering reminder of how quickly personal conflicts can spiral out of control, endangering not only those directly involved but also innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire.
