Identities released in Thanksgiving killing

LICKING TOWNSHIP - The Licking County Sheriff's Office has identified two men killed during a Thanksgiving Day shooting.

Sheriff Randy Thorp formally identified Charles R. Newman, known to many as Rick, 56, and Milton D. Jarvis, 69, as the two men who were killed at a home on the 100 block of Rosemary Lane just after 4 p.m. Thursday.

The home is deeded to Newman, according to the Licking County Auditor's website. Both men are from Heath.

Thorp said a preliminary investigation indicates Jarvis and Newman knew each other and Jarvis had gone to Newman's home Thursday. Some kind of argument ensued "which resulted in Jarvis pulling out a handgun and opening fire on Newman," Thorp said in a media release.

After a struggle, Jarvis was shot but it is not clear if he was shot during the struggle or if he shot himself, Thorp said.

There are no indications anyone else was involved in the shooting.

The Licking County Coroner's Office will be conducting autopsies on the two men on Sunday and Monday to determine their official causes of death.

According to Licking County Common Pleas Court records, Jarvis was convicted Tuesday of two counts of trafficking in cocaine, both fifth-degree felonies, and sentenced to three years of community control.

The felony convictions made it illegal for Jarvis to have possessed a firearm.

Newman is the owner of Newman Excavating.