Investigators remain unsure as to motive in Tuesday’s shooting of local real estate agent Debra (Martin) Dickens, citing that the suspect had no criminal record, Ironton Police Department investigators said.

Wednesday, January 03, 2001

Investigators remain unsure as to motive in Tuesday’s shooting of local real estate agent Debra (Martin) Dickens, citing that the suspect had no criminal record, Ironton Police Department investigators said.

Both women are business partners in a travel agency – American Dream Cruises – and suspect Elizabeth Keating is an employee of the real estate business, Ironton police detective Capt. Chris Bowman said.

"Both of them are well known," Bowman said. "Motives are sketchy at best at this time."

While there is no immediate "indication of a business relationship gone bad," he said, "there is some question" to the existence of ill feelings, he said.

Mrs. Keating, 43, of Ironton, faces a charge of attempted aggravated murder after she allegedly discharged a .38-caliber revolver at Debra (Martin) Dickens, owner of M&M Realty-Appraisals, 201 Market St., police reports state.

She is being held in the Lawrence County Jail. Bowman said she would be arraigned Thursday in Ironton Municipal Court.

Emergency crews responded to the incident within two minutes of receiving the 911 call Tuesday, Bowman said.

"We received the call at 9:33 a.m.," he said. "Upon arrival, officers discovered Debra lying in front of her business. She had apparently staggered outside, as best we can piece together, and was yelling for help."

He said the 46-year-old had suffered a gunshot wound to the head, but was not seriously injured. She was listed in stable condition this morning.

"She was later determined to have been grazed on the forehead by a bullet," he said. "Shortly after officers arrived on the scene, they found the suspect inside the business attempting to discard evidence."

Mrs. Keating was arrested at the scene and transported to the police department for further questioning, Bowman said.

He said officials discovered the .38-caliber handgun, which was determined to be the weapon used during the attack, lying just outside a door to the business.

"We did recover six spent cartridges from the crime scene," Bowman said. "As to whether any other shots were fired, we’re still investigating."

He said he was unable to release details as to whether Mrs. Keating was waiting for Mrs. Dickens’ in the office, but confirmed that "the suspect’s vehicle was located several blocks from the crime scene."

Law enforcement officials are still trying to piece it all together as the investigation continues.

"This appears to be an isolated incident," Bowman said. "Of course, we will be examining all of the evidence presented to us."

Southeast Ohio Emergency Medical Service crews transported Mrs. Dickens to Our Lady of Bellefonte Hospital.

"She’s lucky to be alive," Bowman said. "We haven’t fully interviewed the victim and until such time, details of the incident will be sketchy at best."

Officials from the Lawrence County prosecutor J.B. Collier Jr.’s office, Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, state fire marshal’s office, Coal Grove Police Department and Ironton Fire Department assisted in securing the crime scene.

Mrs. Keating’s bond is expected to be set later today.