Two dead and more injured after at least four recent shootings in Dayton

Nov. 12 – At least five people were shot in four incidents on Sunday and Monday in Dayton, including a woman and a man killed in a double homicide.

Suspects in two of the shootings remain in custody as of Tuesday afternoon and investigators are looking for two suspects in the killing, Dayton police Maj. Brian Johns said.

West Second Street

The first shooting was reported around 11 a.m. Sunday in the 3300 block of West Second Street.

A group of suspects attempted to break into a home when the resident reportedly fired a gun.

“This was part of an ongoing crime spree involving the victim, who was shot, and he had four juvenile suspects with him,” Johns said.

All five were armed with pistols.

“When the shooting occurred, they had gone to the home there, dismantled the Ring cameras that were outside the home and attempted to enter the home,” the police major said.

The homeowner then fired a shot, which hit the 23-year-old man in the head.

The man was taken to hospital and is in critical condition. All four minor suspects have been arrested.

Johns said the group was also involved in a similar burglary on Kammer Avenue. The suspects were armed, dismantled cameras and broke into the home before stealing property.

“That’s a pretty alarming crime that happens on a Sunday afternoon in broad daylight,” Johns said.

South Jefferson Street

The next day, a shooting was reported on the sidewalk outside the Boost Mobile at 35 S. Jefferson St. in downtown Dayton.

A 911 caller told Montgomery County Regional Dispatch that two people were arguing and one person shot the other in the chest.

An 18-year-old boy was taken to a local hospital in critical condition. His condition was stable on Tuesday.

Investigators used private and city cameras to find and arrest an 18-year-old suspect.

“I do want to mention the downtown Dayton cameras,” Johns said. “The cameras captured the shooting itself and the suspect fleeing the scene. Thanks to those cameras, we have a very, very strong case against the suspect.”

Dayton Mayor Jeffrey Mims echoed this sentiment, saying, “This quick arrest was a direct result of the existing camera network in our downtown and the great work of the Dayton Police Department.”

Mims said the city will continue to expand its camera infrastructure downtown and in city neighborhoods to help create safe environments in the community.

The suspect has been in custody since Tuesday.

West Stewart Street

A man and a woman were killed Monday evening after an argument at a Desoto Bass Courts apartment.

A 911 caller reported hearing approximately five or six shots in the 1700 block of West Stewart Street around 6:30 p.m.

De’ja Powers, 29, was pronounced dead at the scene. Medics transported 24-year-old Antwan McCathron Jr. to Miami Valley Hospital, where he died of injuries.

“We are currently looking for two suspects,” Johns said. “…There was some sort of disagreement between the parties living there and these two assailants, at which point the suspects pulled out firearms and opened fire on the residents in the apartment.”

The 911 caller said the shots came through the wall, but no one in the home was injured.

West Riverview Avenue and Salem Avenue

A fourth shooting was reported Monday just after 9 p.m. at West Riverview and Salem Avenue.

According to police, a 37-year-old man arrived at an area hospital via a private vehicle.

The man suffered a gunshot wound to the groin and is expected to survive, Johns said.

All four shootings remain under investigation.