WARREN — A mother of four was slain in her home in the 900 block of Francis Avenue SE about 2 a.m. Saturday and police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Noel Flores Jr., 19.

A news release from the Warren Police Department states Ashante Kirksey, 26, was found shot to death when officers responded to call about gunshots. Neighbors said Kirksey just moved into the home a few weeks ago so they did not know her very well.

They said she had four children, who they believe were home at the time of the murder. Neighbors said many children live in the usually quiet neighborhood and the family seemed to “fit right in.”

Warren 6th Ward Councilwoman Cheryl Saffold said she is a relative of the victim.

Kirksey’s social media page, on which she uses the name Ashante Peddi, quickly filled up Saturday with comments about her being a great mom and friend. By 8 p.m. Saturday, more than 100 comments where on her Facebook page.

It is unclear if Flores and Kirksey knew each other, but Saffold claims Flores stormed into the home looking for an acquaintance of the victim. No further information from the police department was available Saturday evening.

According to Tribune Chronicle archives, Flores was accused in the April 24, 2022, shooting of a 17-year-old boy in the Warren Heights area. He lived on Martin Street SW at the time.

A police report states members of the Warren police Street Crimes Unit arrested Flores at his home shortly after noon April 27, 2022. The report states Flores had jumped out of a second-story window at the rear of the residence in an attempt to flee. Two officers caught up to him and put him into handcuffs.

His case was bound over to a Trumbull County grand jury June 30, 2022, but the panel declined to indict him on a felonious assault charge in August 2022, court records show.

According to Trumbull County jail records, Flores was arrested Sept. 4 by Niles police on a charge of aggravated menacing following the filing of a warrant Aug. 21. Niles Municipal Court records show he pleaded guilty Sept. 5 and was fined $500 and sentenced to 180 days in jail, with credit for two days served and 118 days suspended.

He also was permanently banned from the Royal Mall apartment complex and banned from owning a firearm as well as ordered to have no contact with the victim while on one year of probation, court records show.

He sought early release Oct. 4, but it was denied. He was released from the jail Tuesday, records show.

Anyone with information about Saturday’s shooting or the whereabouts of Flores can contact Detective Nick Carney at 330-841-2660.