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Shooting suspect expected in court

Held without bond in death of 4-year-old

STRUTHERS — Kimonie Bryant, 24, the suspect in Monday shootings that left a 4-year-old boy dead, is likely to be arraigned some time this afternoon in Struthers Municipal Court, officials said.

“It was so quick,” one of the shooting victims told a 9-1-1 dispatcher as she implored responders to “please hurry up” to the 111 Perry St. house.

Bryant is in the Mahoning County jail without bond, facing an aggravated murder charge. He turned himself in to U.S. Marshal’s service at about 8 p.m. Monday — roughly 18 hours after he is accused of barging into the house and shooting four adults and fatally shooting Rowan Sweeney.

The four injured adults are Alexis Schneider, 22, of Struthers, the boy’s mother; Cassandra Marsicola, 20, of Campbell, who called 9-1-1; Yarnell Green Jr., 30, of Youngstown; and Andre McCoy Jr., 20, of Youngstown.

In the chaotic aftermath of the crime, Marsicola called 9-1-1 and reached a Boardman Township dispatcher, who worked with Struthers dispatch to relay the messages:

‘HER SON IS DEAD’

Dispatch : “Where’s the suspect?”

Marsicola: “We don’t know. … He just came through the front door. … Please hurry up. Please hurry up.”

(A woman is heard screaming in the background as the dispatchers are relaying information to each other as well as to first responders.)

A dispatcher asks Marsicola to tell her how many people are injured, to which Marsicola counts out five, repeating “please.”

Then, one of the dispatchers asked where the shooter is, and Marsicola said he is gone.

She said that he went “out the front door and left.”

The dispatchers from Boardman and Struthers stayed on the line and worked together until the call ended.

Dispatch: “Are there any kids in the house?”

Marsicola: “No. Her son is dead.”

(A woman can be heard yelling “My son is dead” and yelling for help.)

Marsicola said she was shot three times — twice in the leg and once in the shoulder.

Responders arrive at the scene.

Deep breaths are heard as the dispatchers communicate on how many units are going to the scene.

“I appreciate you,” Struthers dispatch says, with Boardman responding, “Me too.”

“Just take a deep breath. It’s all going to be all right, OK? Just take a deep breath,” Boardman says as Struthers dispatch continues to breathe deeply.

REMAINED SILENT

More charges are likely against Bryant, police Capt. Daniel Mamula said.

Struthers police Chief Tim Roddy said Tuesday that there is no information on a motive.

On Monday, Mamula said during a news conference that there is “some relation” between Bryant and the neighborhood but did not reveal more information.

Mamula said Bryant did not admit to the shooting during his apprehension.

He also said Bryant is the only suspect in the shooting — but an investigation is ongoing, which Roddy confirmed Tuesday.

“We had a brief conversation, he opted to remain silent toward the end of it,” Mamula said.

Mamula said that while there was an “urgency” for law enforcement to find Bryant; it was important that the investigation continue.

According to court documents from Struthers Municipal Court, Bryant’s address is listed as Struthers.

In December, he was pulled over in Liberty Township, ultimately receiving probation from Girard Municipal Court for a gun charge. The last known contact with the court was in August, according to court records. Those documents listed Bryant’s address as Boardman.

Assisting the Struthers police department in the current case are the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Campbell and Youngstown police departments, Mill Creek MetroPark police and Mahoning County Homicide Task Force.

Upon conviction, aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, can be punishable by death, or life in prison and a maximum fine of $25,000.

THE RESIDENCE

Officers responded to the Perry Street house last week, where Schneider resides. The house is believed to be owned by relatives.

Police were called there for a report of an overdose. While in route, officers were notified that Green fled when an ambulance arrived.

As the officer yelled for Green to comply, Green refused and a foot pursuit ensued.

The officer caught up with Green, advising him he was not under arrest but detained. The police report states “Green appeared to be under the influence of multiple different substances,” although it was unknown exactly what.

Green then stated he did in fact want to go to a hospital, and he was transported by Life Fleet to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. He was not charged in the episode.

Rowan’s death marked the third shooting death in Ohio in less than one week, according to Steve Irwin, public information officer for the Ohio Attorney General’s office.

A 6-year-old was shot on Sept. 15 in Canton, and there was a shooting on Sept. 18 in Hamilton County where a 10-year-old was killed.

Irwin said that BCI is involved with the investigation of the Hamilton County and Struthers shootings, but not in the Canton incident.

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