Trending
AUSTINTOWN -- Police are gathering evidence and speaking to witnesses about a Friday fatal shooting at Compass West apartments.
A 17-year-old boy was arrested Saturday in connection with the shooting that left Vincent D. Tarver, 22, dead and sent Joleene Christy, 21, to the hospital with a gunshot wound.
The teen was arraigned Monday at the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center on one charge of murder with a three-year gun specification, one count of felonious assault with the same specification and one count of tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.
Court officials said the teen denied the charges and, based on the risk assessment, he will remain in detention until he is bound over to Mahoning County Common Pleas Court general division, where he likely will face charges as an adult. The court will appoint him an attorney.
According to the initial report from Austintown police, the shooting happened about 10 p.m. Friday outside of 990 Compass West. Witnesses told police they heard arguing in the parking lot shortly before shots were fired.
Police arrived to find Tarver on the ground with gunshot wounds to the neck, upper chest and leg. They found Christy inside the apartment with a gunshot wound to her right side.
Officers attempted to administer first aid while they waited for ambulances to arrive.
Both victims were taken to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital, where Tarver was pronounced dead. Police collected Christy's clothing as evidence.
The report states one witness had video on a phone that showed part of the incident. Some witnesses told police they knew whwo was arguing with the victims and said one of them, a white man, repeatedly lifted his shirt as if reaching for a gun.
Witnesses told police they saw three men fleeing the scene toward Westgate Boulevard immediately after the shooting.
Austintown police detective Lt. Shawn Hevener said the department is continuing the investigation.
"We're just still trying to speak with witnesses and gather evidence," he said. "We're pretty confident, but at the end of the day want to gather as much witness information as we can."