An Ohio man who fatally shot his young sons last year pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated murder Friday as part of a deal with the state to avoid the death penalty.

Chad Doerman, 33, received three consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole over the deaths of 7-year-old Clayton, 4-year-old Hunter, and 3-year-old Chase Doerman, who were shot at their home in Monroe Township on June 15, 2023, multiple outlets reported .

Doerman also pleaded guilty to two counts of felonious assault against his now-former wife and stepdaughter, whod attempted to stop the killings.

According to a bill of particulars filed in Clermont County and obtained by local stations WCPO and WLWT , the incident began when Doerman returned home from work and started walking around with a Bible in a manner that was scaring the children.