New Year’s Eve is usually about fresh starts, laughter, and counting down to midnight with friends.
But in Ohio, one house party turned into a terrifying scene when emotions boiled over and violence erupted in the early hours of the morning.
What began as a celebration ended with gunfire, chaos, and an innocent guest nearly losing his life.
The Woman at the Center of the Case
Olivia Clendenin, 29, has now been convicted after prosecutors said she opened fire on a home where a party was taking place.
She was found guilty last week of several serious charges, including attempted murder, two counts of felonious assault, and discharging a firearm into a residence, according to reports.
Her mugshot, showing her smiling broadly, drew attention as the case unfolded.
Jealousy and Anger Spark the Violence
Authorities said the situation escalated because Clendenin became furious during the New Year’s Eve gathering.
Prosecutors argued that she was upset after seeing her estranged husband and her new boyfriend getting along and bonding at the same party — one she had also attended.
That unexpected interaction reportedly sent her into a rage.
Leaving the Party… Then Coming Back Armed
According to the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, Clendenin stormed out of the party after unsuccessfully trying to convince her estranged husband to leave with her.
But the night didn’t end there. Investigators say she returned around 5 a.m., this time carrying a .40 caliber firearm.
It was then that she allegedly fired eight shots toward the house.
An Innocent Guest Becomes the Victim
Tragically, the person who was hit wasn’t even part of the relationship drama.
A 29-year-old man sitting on the front porch was struck in the abdomen, suffering injuries so severe that he nearly died.
Prosecutor David Fornshell emphasized how random the victim’s involvement was, saying the man had simply been invited to a New Year’s celebration and suddenly found himself caught in the middle of gunfire.
A Failed Escape Ends in a Crash
After the shooting, Clendenin attempted to flee the scene in her mother’s 2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
However, her escape was short-lived.
Authorities said she crashed into a guardrail and then a utility pole.
She was arrested at the crash site.
Arrest, Bail, and the Road Ahead
Clendenin pleaded not guilty and was initially released on bail under electronic monitoring.
She was also placed under a no-contact order with witnesses.
Now, after her conviction, prosecutors say she is facing a long stretch behind bars.
Fornshell noted grimly that while she may have entered 2025 as a free person, she is likely to spend much of the next decade incarcerated for attempting to kill one of her romantic interests — but instead almost killing an innocent bystander.
What Happens Next?
At this point, sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
The court is waiting on a pre-sentence investigation before determining how many years Clendenin will ultimately serve.
For now, the case stands as a chilling reminder of how quickly jealousy and rage can turn an ordinary celebration into tragedy.
