Dad tries blowing up home with wife, 3 kids inside, KY cops say. He’s going to prison

A father pleaded guilty to shooting at his wife and three kids and trying to blow up the home they were barricaded inside, according to Kentucky police and news reports.

The wife of 29-year-old Joshua Harmon called 911 on Jan. 7, telling dispatchers she had been assaulted by her husband at their Independence home, WCPO reported, citing a police report.

“There is nothing but fear and terror in that mother’s voice,” Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said of the 911 call, WKRC reported.

Gunshots could be heard in the background as the wife and three children hid in the master bedroom’s bathroom, police told WXIX.

Harmon shot through the door of the bedroom, according to WXIX, and officers caught him trying to gain entry into the bathroom.

Sanders said officers also thwarted an arson attempt by Harmon.

“(Harmon) then attempted to kill his spouse and three children by placing a can of gasoline in the oven and turning it on,” Sanders said in court documents. “The resulting explosion would have set the occupied residence on fire but for police intervention.”

After he was arrested, Harmon asked an officer if his wife and children were dead, WKRC reported. The family survived the encounter.

Court records show Harmon pleaded guilty Aug. 12 to four counts each of attempted murder and wanton endangerment. He also pleaded guilty to attempted arson and two counts of assault.

Sanders recommend a 20-year prison sentence, according to the court documents. Harmon will be sentenced Sept. 23.

This story was originally published August 13, 2024 at 6:30 AM with the headline "Dad tries blowing up home with wife, 3 kids inside, KY cops say. He’s going to prison."