Benjamin Hawk: Man Allegedlly Kills Ex-Wife’s Boyfriend During Karaoke Performance in Ohio

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A fun karaoke night turned deadly when a jealous ex-husband allegedly shot and killed his ex-wife’s new boyfriend right in the middle of a song. 

According to witnesses, 42-year-old Benjamin Donkey Hawk was performing Linkin Park’s “One More Light” when 59-year-old Richard Lindgren suddenly opened fire without saying a word.

The shocking karaoke bar shooting has deeply shaken the close-knit Buckeye Lake community. 

Friends say Benjamin Hawk was a well-loved figure in the local karaoke scene and will be greatly missed.



Benjamin Hawk 


Just before midnight on Friday, July 12, 2025, Benjamin Hawk got up to perform at Louie’s Corner House, a popular karaoke bar in Ohio.

DJ Robert Humble, who was only a few feet away, said that Richard Lindgren, the former husband of Hawk’s girlfriend, suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Hawk in the back of the head.

"I saw every second of it from four feet away," Humble told ABC 6. "There was no argument, no warning. He just shot him."

After the shooting, Lindgren reportedly walked out of the bar calmly and drove away. 

Police were immediately called, and a manhunt was launched across multiple states to find him. 

He was eventually arrested the next day in Orangeburg, South Carolina, and is now facing a murder charge, as reported by The New York Post. 

The Crime Scene



Friends say Lindgren had a history of harassing his ex-wife after their breakup, especially whenever she went out to sing at local karaoke bars.

"He would call her names and bash her character," Dj Humble said. "I warned him two weeks ago that if he kept acting like that, he wasn’t welcome here."

Hawk’s friend, Baylee Klingel, told reporters that Lindgren had previously threatened Hawk, knowing he was in a relationship with his ex-wife, before the tragic incident happened.

"There were always off-putting vibes from Rich," Klingel said. "I never thought he was capable of murder, but he wasn’t a friendly guy."

According to court records, Lindgren had already violated a protection order earlier this year, leading many to question if more could have been done to stop the tragedy from happening.  

Richard Lindgren 


Hawk’s brother, David Hawk, described him as someone who used music to connect with others.  

"He was using karaoke as a way to share his emotions with everybody else," David told The Columbus Dispatch.  

Louie’s Corner House, a family-run bar that’s been around for decades, had never seen anything like this before.

Owner Debbie Williamson said the place was full that night, with around 50 people inside who sadly witnessed the terrifying incident.

"I had just met Mr. Hawk that night, and he seemed like a very nice gentleman," Williamson said. "It’s heartbreaking that so many people had to see this, even though it could have happened anywhere"

Buckeye Lake Mayor Linda Goodman called the incident "very unusual" for the small, typically peaceful town.  

"This is not something that happens here," Goodman said. "Our hearts go out to everyone affected."

Authorities are now working to extradite Lindgren back to Ohio, where he will face a murder charge. 

The Licking County Sheriff’s Office is leading the investigation and plans to release more details soon.  

For now, the Ohio karaoke community is left mourning a man who loved music—and a life cut short by senseless violence.  

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