Brothers charged in connection to Dayton shooting that killed 12-year-old girl

Isabella A'more Carlos. Photo provided by Michael Nooks.

Isabella A'more Carlos. Photo provided by Michael Nooks.

Two brothers are facing charges for shooting at multiple houses in Dayton last week, including one where a 12-year-old was killed after she was struck by gunfire while she was sleeping.

Antawan Damarr Benson Jr., 23, and Javen E. Conner, 19, both of Jefferson Twp., are charged with three counts of improper discharge of a firearm and one count of discharge of a firearm, according to Dayton Municipal Court records.

Benson and Conner, who are brothers, are accused of standing outside a vacant house Aug. 23 in the first block of West Fairview Avenue and firing over the roadway, hitting three houses, according to an affidavit.

Javen E. Conner. Photo courtesy of Montgomery County Jail

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Approximately 37 rifle rounds were fired at the houses, all three of which were occupied, Dayton police Maj. Brian Johns said previously.

Isabella A’more Carlos, 12, was sleeping in an upstairs bedroom in one of the houses when she was killed by gunfire. Her 11-year-old sister found her body, Johns said.

“I tried to resuscitate her, but I couldn’t,” said Michael Nooks, Carlos’ father. “As a dad you’re supposed to be able to protect your kids, but I couldn’t in that situation.”

Johns previously said the house was not the intended target, but didn’t specify which house the gunmen were believed to be targeting or why.

“This house was just caught in the crossfire,” he said.

Police confirmed Thursday morning that two suspects had been arrested. Benson and Conner were booked Wednesday afternoon into the Montgomery County Jail, according to jail booking records.

Neither brother has been charged directly for Carlos’ death.

Antawan Damarr Benson Jr. Photo courtesy of Montgomery County Jail

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Carlos was a seventh-grader at Charity Adams Earley Girls Academy. She had attended the school since kindergarten, Dayton Public Schools Superintendent David Lawrence said.

“We offer our heartfelt condolences to all family and friends during this difficult time,” he said. “The school had counselors on-site on Friday and will continue to provide support to any students who need it. Families who need support outside of school hours are encouraged to call the Montgomery County 24/7 crisis support line at 833-580-2255.”

Several bullets were shot into a home at 33 W. Fairview Ave. that killed a 12-year-old girl while she was sleeping in her bed Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. MARSHALL GORBY\STAFF

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