UA police say daughter shot her parents, killing her father

UPPER ARLINGTON – A 31-year-old Upper Arlington woman was in jail Friday morning, charged with shooting her father to death and injuring her mother inside the couple’s home as trick-or-treaters began to roam the neighborhood streets outside.

Kristen Roth was charged with aggravated murder for the shooting death of her father, James Roth, and felonious assault, for the shooting of her mother, Elizabeth, inside their Colchester Road home Thursday evening, Upper Arlington Police Division spokesman Officer Bryan McKean said.

Police officers and fire personnel dispatched to the elder Roth’s address in the 3300 block of Colchester Road at approximately 6:30 p.m. on the report of a shooting found James Roth, 61, and Elizabeth Roth, 60, McKean said.

Both had been shot multiple times and were taken to Riverside Methodist Hospital where James Roth died of his injuries. Elizabeth Roth was listed in stable condition Friday morning.

Witnesses provided information which led police to believe that the couple’s daughter was responsible for the shootings and Kristen Roth was arrested a short time later without incident at her home on Merrifield Place, McKean said.

Kristen Roth was taken to the Franklin County Jail.

McKean says police credit the neighbors who live near the scene with helping officers clear the streets of children and families who were participating in Beggar’s Night when the crime was reported.