Longtime industry participant Dean Beachy and his son Steven Beachy, both of Millersberg, Ohio, passed away after having been shot by a gunman at a hotel bar in Pennsylvania on Thursday, January 24.
According to news sources, Dean, 62, was one of four victims of a shooting rampage near Penn State University on Thursday. Authorities stated that 21-year-old Jordan Witmer opened fire at P.J. Harrigan’s Bar & Grill in State College, Penn., killing Dean and wounding two other people. One of those individuals was 19-year-old Steven Beachy, who passed away in hospital on Friday (January 25). Witmer then fled the scene, broke into a home and shot 83-year-old homeowner George McCormick before taking his own life. McCormick succumbed to the injuries he sustained in the incident and also passed away.
Coroner Scott Sayers said the shootings were “an isolated incident,” and added that investigators are trying to determine if Witmer knew either victim.
Dean Beachy was an active in many roles in the harness racing industry, as an owner, trainer and driver but most recognized for his work as an auctioneer with Dean Beachy & Associates, the voice of the sales conducted by the Blooded Horse Sales Company. A renowned auctioneer and bid spotter, Beachy was also active at the sales conducted by the Standardbred Horse Sales Co. and Tattersalls.
Steven Beachy was also active in the harness racing industry, owning a pair active racehorses.
Update: Funeral services will be held Tuesday, January 29 at 11:00 a.m. at the Mt. Hope Event Center in Mt. Hope with Pastor Don Hamsher officiating. A private burial will be held prior to services.
Friends may call at the event center Sunday from 5 to 8 p.m. and Monday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Smith-Varns Funeral Home in Sugarcreek is handling the arrangements. To share a memory, please visit the funeral home’s website. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Walnut Creek Mennonite Missions Program (330-852-2560).
Please join Standardbred Canada in offering condolences to the family and friends of Dean and Steve Beachy.
(Update courtesy of the USTA)
A Go Fund Me page was set up
A Go Fund Me page was set up by a friend of the Beachy family:
“I just thought that if the horse community can come together and help the family out,” Tricia Shepard, the organizer, wrote on the GoFundMe page. “Raise funds to get them brought back to Ohio and give them a proper burial.”
https://www.gofundme.com/dean-and-stevie-funeral
Anyone who breeds and sells
Anyone who breeds and sells our horses is in disbelief over this, just horrible. I just saw him Monday at the Meadowlands Sale. Such a tremendous, nice man. I hope a race gets named in his honor. RIP Dean & Steve, prayers to the family.
Such tragic news.
Such tragic news.