STRUTHERS, Ohio (WKBN) – As Struthers police begin to develop leads into a mass shooting early Monday that claimed the life of a child and injured four others, the father of the child is calling for the shooter to turn himself in.
During a Monday afternoon press conference, Struthers Police Chief Tim Roddy said they have at least two suspects in the case.
Roddy identified the child who died as 4 -year -old Rowan Sweeney.
The adults victims are:
- Andre Stephon McCoy Jr., 20, of Youngstown
- Yarnell Green Jr., 30, of Youngstown
- Cassandra Marsicola, 20, of Campbell
- Alexis Schneider, 22, of Struthers
A gunman shot the four adults and the boy in the living room at a home in the 100 block of Perry St. about 1:55 a.m.
Rowan’s father, David Sweeney, was at the press conference as Roddy laid out the details they know in the case.
“Whoever did this, man, just turn yourself in. Just be a man, dude. Just be a man. You’re sick. You’re just sick. You took my son from me. This is my baby boy. You took him because you’re sick. you can live with that for the rest of your life, but this is my baby,” Sweeney said.
Sweeney went on to say what a joy his son was.
“I just want Rowan to know that we love you. We all love you. We miss you. We miss you so much. Buddy, I am so sorry. I’m so sorry for you, buddy,” he said.
Sweeney got his wish after police announced that a suspect had been arrested about 8 p.m. Monday.
Kimonie Bryant turned himself in to police at the federal building in downtown Youngstown and is being held in the Mahoning County Jail on aggravated murder charges.
During an earlier press conference, Roddy said one of the men was shot in the head twice and is in critical condition at St. Elizabeth Health Center. The other man, who was shot in the back twice, is “close to critical condition.” The women, who were shot in the leg and hip areas, are in stable condition.
The boy died in his mother’s arms, police said.
The mother is one of the women hurt in the shooting. Police said she lives at the house.
Roddy said the suspect barged through the front door, which leads directly to the living room, and after a series of shouts, began shooting before running away. He left before police got there.
Neighbors reported hearing gunfire but no one saw or heard a vehicle, Roddy said.
The women are talking to investigators about what they know, and they’ve also gotten some tips from concerned citizens.
Both women who were shot are friends, but Roddy said he was not exactly sure of the relationship they had with the men who were there.
One of their cars, which was parked in front of the house, was towed for evidence.
When asked if police had been to the home before, Roddy said there were “issues” there. Last week, police responded to the house for an overdose and before they got there, the person who overdosed had ran away. Police eventually chased the person down so they could get him treatment.
Roddy said the Mahoning County Homicide Task Force is helping Struthers police, as well as the Youngstown, Campbell and Mill Creek police departments, and the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
BCI searched the scene for money, drugs and weapons.
The last time Struthers had a homicide was 2014. The city had two that year — a stabbing at Struthers Manor and a shooting death on Renee Drive.
Anyone with information on Monday’s shooting should call Crimestoppers Youngstown at 330-746-CLUE or Struthers police at 330-755-9849.
The video below is information given during a press conference Monday morning.
