Shortly after 1 p.m. Thursday police responded to Germantown Pike and Mount Clair Avenue for a crash. As officers were responding they learned shots had also been fired, Dayton police Lt. Mark Ponichtera said.
When police arrived, they found a large group of 100 to 200 people.
“To preserve the integrity of the scene and to try and gain control of the situation we did ask for a city-wide officer in trouble call, which is known as a Signal 99,” Ponichtera said.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded and helped crews establish the crime scene.
“A 34-year-old male was on a motorcycle when he was involved in the crash,” read a statement from Dayton police Friday morning. “Initial information given to officers was that he was also shot, however the male was not shot.”
A large group of motorcycles and vehicles were traveling together for funeral services through the area at the time of the incident. Ponichtera said it’s not clear if they were part of a formal funeral procession.
A 33-year-old man was detained at the scene after he reportedly moved a motorcycle out of the street.
An officer told the man not to touch the motorcycle because it was part of a crime scene, but the man cursed at the officer and said he was moving his brother’s motorcycle, according to the crash report.
The man was handcuffed and placed in the back of a cruiser. He had two outstanding warrants and was later booked into the Montgomery County Jail.
Credit: Jim Noelker
Dominique Smith said he was walking outside and noticed a bunch of motorcycles in the area when he heard about four or five shots fired.
“From what I’ve seen, they were in a funeral,” he said. “One of the motorcyclists was trying to help stop traffic and he was hit and that’s where the gunfire came out.”
Smith added funerals can unfortunately be dangerous to attend now.
“It’s sounds kind of insane, but it’s just the world we live in now,” he said. “The emotions are flaring and then you have people coming together that might not like this person, might not like that person and they’re all in one place. So things tend to happen.”
“It’s sad really,” he added. “A funeral. I hate seeing this type of stuff.”
Ponichtera asked any witnesses to come forward and contact detectives at 937-333-COPS (2677). People can submit tips anonymously to Miami Valley Crime Stoppers at 937-222-7867 or www.miamivalleycrimestoppers.com.
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