Oberlin homicide: Suspect says 'I killed them' on body cam

Daniel Jones told a police officer on body camera video, "I killed them," after officers arrived at his home in Oberlin on Wednesday.

The video was released on Monday following a public records request. Jones, 31, stands on Shipherd Circle with his hands raised when law enforcement arrives. A neighbor stated he called police after seeing Jones knock on doors, claiming he had escaped a cult and needed a ride to the library. Investigators were already searching for Jones when that call was made. His car was found smoking in an Oberlin College parking lot that morning. Inside the vehicle, officers discovered a suitcase, wallet, passport, keys, and loose live ammunition.

Jones initially told officers his name was Asia Nguyen-Duy and that he was from Oregon. Court records indicate he legally changed his name to Daniel Jones last year. He stated he was "escaping bad people" and needed help. He explained his wet clothes by saying he was "walking through the river." He told officers he visited family at an address on South Pleasant Street earlier that day. When an officer noticed scratches on his body and asked if his family was okay, Jones replied, "No sir, they're not okay." The officer asked why, and Jones responded, "I killed them."

Officers handcuffed Jones and read him his Miranda rights. He declined to speak further at that time. Police went to the Pleasant Street home and found Jones's father, Oberlin College Professor Pipo Nguyen-Duy, and his stepmother, Tran Thi Phong, dead inside. Both victims were shot multiple times. Jones remains jailed on charges of murder, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence. Prosecutors stated during his arraignment that his mother told police her son was psychotic and required medication.

Jones was arraigned on Monday on a separate felony charge of harassment with a bodily substance. A Lorain County Sheriff's report details that Jones is accused of throwing two cups of urine on a correctional officer inside the jail on Saturday morning. The report states the urine hit the officer's face, arms, and the front of his uniform.