Submitted photo Youngstown police still are searching for this man, who is considered a suspect in the shooting of Thomas C. Williams at King’s Court tavern. Anyone with information can call 330-746-CLUE or 330-742-8YPD.

YOUNGSTOWN — Erik Jenkins, 25, turned himself in at the Mahoning County jail Tuesday afternoon, about an hour after the Youngstown Police Department had a news conference to announce he’d been charged with murder.

Jenkins, of Columbus, is charged in the March 4 killing of Thomas C. Williams, 34, in the parking lot of King’s Court tavern, 3223 South Ave., and the wounding of a security guard from the tavern.

Youngstown police had a late-morning news conference to announce that the city prosecutor’s office filed a murder charge and felonious assault charge against Jenkins in Youngstown Municipal Court.

During that conference, officials revealed it’s possible the security guard may have been the shooter who killed Williams — but that Jenkins is being charged with the murder because he was the person who began the gunfight and the security guard fired back.

Police Chief Carl Davis, Mayor Jamael Tito Brown and police Capt. Rod Foley revealed the charges with the hope that the public might help locate Jenkins so he could be apprehended.

Foley, chief of detectives, said the security guard “appears to have been the target of Mr. Jenkins, who initiated this whole shooting by walking up in the parking lot and just shooting (about a dozen shots) at the security guard.”

Foley said police are unaware of any conflict prior to the shooting involving the security guard and Jenkins, but the security guard fired his gun at Jenkins. When Foley was asked whether the security guard’s gun might have hit and killed Williams, Foley said police are “still trying to determine that.”

Later in the news conference, Law Director Jeff Limbian commented that under Ohio law, “When you come to a gunfight and start a gunfight, you’re responsible for everything that happens from that point on. So regardless of whoever ultimately shot” Williams, Jenkins is charged with killing him.

SECOND MAN

Police also released a photo of a second man who was at the scene just prior to the shooting and is considered a suspect. Foley said police have no video footage of that man being involved in the shooting,but it’s possible he did fire.

Forensic evidence from Williams’ body may tell police more about whose bullets killed him, Foley said.

Anyone who knows the identity of the other man in the photos is asked to call the Youngstown Police Department.

All information can be given anonymously at 330-746-CLUE or 330-742-8YPD.

The King’s Court is a new name for the tavern. It formerly was known as the Coconut Grove, Foley said. A Coconut Grove sign still is there.

Brown thanked the public for its “great participation” in this case and urged the public to continue to provide information to help solve such crimes.

“I can’t do it myself. The chief can’t do it himself. The police department can’t do it itself. It’s going to take a collective body, and that’s the citizens getting involved and getting engaged,” the mayor said.

“We’ve come a long way, but we’ve got much more work to do,” he said.

OTHER SHOOTINGS

Meanwhile, when asked about the March 8 self-inflicted shooting of a boy, 3, on McBride Street on the East Side, Limbian said his office is “taking our time and moving very slowly and cautiously,” but the case continues to be investigated and reviewed for possible charges.

He added: “We have grave concerns that anyone would leave a gun accessible to a small child.” The boy apparently shot himself after getting his parents’ pistol, police said.

He was in stable condition in Akron Children’s Hospital last week, police said.

When police arrived for the 1:50 p.m. shooting, a woman was holding the boy. Police later provided information on gun safety and use of gun locks to protect children.

Foley also provided an update on the March 7 shooting death of a man, 62, at a home on East Auburndale Avenue in what police described as a domestic situation. Foley said the police department has provided information to the Mahoning County Prosecutor’s Office, and the case will be presented to the county grand jury to determine whether the person will be indicted.

A woman who lives at the home was taken to the police department for questioning, police said.

erunyan@tribtoday.com