Man charged in deadly Dayton shooting accused of leading police on 100 mph chase

Credit: Jim Noelker

A man accused of shooting and killing another man in Dayton last week was arrested after he reportedly led police on a chase that reached speeds of more than 100 mph.

William Gerald “Gerry” Hefner, 57, of Dayton, was charged Friday in Dayton Municipal Court with two counts of murder, three counts of felonious assault and one count each of tampering with evidence and failure to comply with the order of a police officer.

A Dayton officer recognized Hefner driving a truck just before 10 p.m. Wednesday and started to pursue the vehicle.

“During the pursuit, Mr. Hefner reached speeds of over 100 mph, running red lights, running stop signs and traveling into oncoming traffic,” read an affidavit.

The chase ended near Salem Avenue and Denlinger Road in Trotwood, according to Dayton police. Hefner is being held in the Montgomery County Jail and was scheduled to appear in court early Friday afternoon.

The charges against Hefner are connected to a June 1 deadly shooting in the 100 block of Centre Street in Dayton.

A woman called 911 and told dispatch her boyfriend and friend were involved in a shooting, according to Montgomery County Regional Dispatch Center records.

She said one left in a truck and the other ran away.

Dispatch also received a call from a man doing work on Centre Street.

“This dude just ran up to the front door saying he got shot,” he said.

William "Gerry" Hefner. Photo courtesy Miami Valley Jails.

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The caller said it looked like the man was shot in the top left side of his abdomen.

Dayton Fire Department medics took the shooting victim to Miami Valley Hospital, where he died from injuries, said Dayton police Lt. Steven Bauer.

Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Kent Harshbarger identified the man as 48-year-old Matthew Smith of Dayton.

Investigators identified Hefner as a suspect in the shooting. The next day they spotted his truck on camera and Hefner had reportedly altered the vehicle.

Staff writers Jen Balduf and Daniel Susco contributed to this report.

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