Staff photo / Ed Runyan Youngstown Police Chief RobinLees stands next to Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown as other community leaders stand behind them at a press conference Monday at Youngstown City Council chambers regarding a triple homicide at a club on Logan Avenue early Sunday.

YOUNGSTOWN — An aggravated murder arrest warrant is issued for Robert Shelton, 44, in the shooting death of one of three men who died in an early Sunday gunfight at the Brothers of Power Classic Cars Club on Logan Avenue.

During a news conference Monday at Youngstown City Council chambers, police Chief Robin Lees called Shelton “pretty much a cold-blooded killer” for allegedly shooting Dymond D. Ortello, 34, outside of the club just after two Youngstown police officers arrived and began to attend to a female bystander who had been shot in the shoulder.

Officers arrived within a minute of the first 911 call at 3:45 a.m.

In what police have called a “chaotic scene” with roughly 100 people fleeing from the club after gunfire erupted inside, Shelton shot Ortello multiple times, then moved behind a nearby automobile, Lees said.

People in the crowd got in the way of the officers reaching Shelton, the chief said. Just as they got in position to confront him, the crowd got in the way, giving Shelton time to flee.

Ortello’s brother, Daniel Ortello, 31, was fatally shot a few minutes earlier in an apparent shootout inside the bar with Charles Pullen, 37, who also died, Lees said. The two bystanders were injured at that time in the bar, he said.

Some surveillance video is available, said Capt. Brad Blackburn, chief of detectives, who added that Shelton apparently walked into the bar with one of the two men who was involved in the shootout inside.

In addition to the woman, a man was hit by gunfire. Both have what police believe are non-life-threatening injuries.

‘NOT SO GOOD’

Standing with Lees was Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, who had met before the news conference with a large contingent of community leaders, who then followed Lees and Brown into council chambers and stood behind them during their remarks.

“We often have to come to this space for not-so-good times, and this is one,” the mayor said. “But I am encouraged by the men and women who are standing behind me to help get us — the city — through these tough times.”

He expressed condolences to the families of the dead and injured. “I pray for Youngstown in our recovery in this tough time as well,” he said.

His remarks then focused on the need for state legislators to “do more to get the guns off the street. The people who had guns were probably not legal gun carriers, and I’m asking for those legislators in Columbus to feel what we’re feeling. Those guns need to come off the street.”

He added that the city also needs the community to “speak up,” because the police department has gotten little help from people who were at the scene.

“We know there were many individuals who were located in this location where the shooting took place. Yet no one wants to talk, and I understand that. But as mayor, if we want the violence to stop, I need your help. Friends and family were out there who know what happened. Share that with my office. Share it with me because I want it to stop. You want it to stop as well.”

SEVERAL SHOTS

Lees said the first two officers who arrived “were met with a very chaotic, scattered scene.” They went to help the wounded woman on the hood of a car.

“About that time, a man about 30 to 40 feet away with a gun in hand approached … and fired several shots. The officers were actually present at the time and then moved to engage the individual, at which time they were met with folks that were — again in this chaotic scene — running through the parking lot and were not able to make the apprehension at that time.

“He disposed of the gun under a car and ran from the location pursued by one of the officers,” Lees said. “Ultimately he was lost in the situation.”

Lees said Shelton should be considered “armed and dangerous,” and anyone with information should call police. “We hope there is a quick resolution to it.”

Law Director Jeff Limbian said the city is investigating whether being open after hours violated any laws.

“I think there are code violation issues that have come to light,” he said, adding that illegal activities taking place there could ultimately result in the club being closed.

MOBILIZATION

Samantha Turner, 3rd Ward councilwoman, said the shooting took place just a few blocks from her home. She has heard that after-hours parties “pop up every once in awhile, but I’ve never had any problems with the car club.”

She said a mobilization has taken place with the groups and clergy that attended the news conference. “It really shows the community is here, and we are wrapping our arms around the families and the children and those who were just there to have a good time at the Brothers of Power clubhouse.”

She added, “We have to be kinder to each other. We have to show kindness. We have to show our fellow man some grace as we move through these tough times. It has to happen in our families, in our homes, in our schools.”

Guy Burney, executive director of Youngstown community initiative to reduce violence, thanked the community members who have worked tirelessly to reduce violence in the city but “We must do more.”

“Part of the tragedy of this process was that there was so many people involved. And as a community, we live in a constant state of trauma, and that trauma causes all kinds of issues.”

Joseph Caruso of Compass Community and Family Services said it’s important for people to meet with someone to deal with unresolved traumas, and various community organizations are mobilizing to talk to people: “We have to talk about what’s happened to you, and we need to talk with everybody and see what has happened to them and how we can help them to cope with the stress that occurs during these very traumatic events.”