Branden Doseck was 16 when he died on December 27, 2015, at Mary Rutan Hospital Emergency Department. A Jackson Center High School student, he enjoyed football, baseball, fishing and swimming, and worked at the Haunted Orchard and Overbey Recycling. He was born March 13, 1999, to Robert and Amy Ward.

The shooting occurred during a party at the home of 20-year-old Evan John Hoffman of Bloom Center, Logan County. Police say Hoffman shot Branden in the lower chest at close range with a deer slug after claiming Branden had threatened him and kicked in a door; Branden was unarmed. Hoffman was arrested and later entered a guilty plea to reckless homicide, receiving five years in prison. He also faced charges tied to underage drinking and having sex with a minor, which led to an additional six months in jail and a 25-year Tier 2 sex offender registration.

Branden’s family and community remembered him for his athletic interests and kind nature and publicly expressed grief and frustration over the circumstances. If anyone knew Branden or was at that party and has information to share, please come forward.