The teen, who was arrested and placed in detention Friday, is suspected of killing 22-year-old Keyona Murray, who was shot in the head in a home on the 100 block of Lorenz Ave. in Dayton on Feb. 16.
Neighbors and a 911 caller who reported Murray’s shooting said the gunfire came from outside the home, in a back alley.
Murray, who died at Miami Valley Hospital, was shot in front of her 2-year-old child and her 2-year-old nephew. A candlelight vigil was held for her earlier this week outside the home where she was wounded.
On Saturday, the teen suspect denied a charge of murder and felony burglary at hearing in Montgomery County Juvenile Court.
The teen will appear in court for a preliminary conference on the morning of March 9 before Juvenile Court Judge Anthony Capizzi. Police said the suspect was taken into custody after being found at a residence on Gard Avenue in Dayton.
TRENDING: Springboro unveils plan for crossroads redevelopment
The suspect has a fairly lengthy criminal record , according to juvenile court officials.
The suspect successfully completed about three months of probation on about Jan. 25 related to a misdemeanor theft charge in Greene County, juvenile court officials said.
Court officials previously said he had been in trouble before on charges that include delinquency by reason of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
He served probation in 2013 related to an attempted burglary charge. In 2015, he was given probation again, with a suspended commitment to the state juvenile correctional system, after another burglary charge. Both charges were felonies.
In addition to the murder charge, the suspect faces a pending felony-level burglary charge.
TRENDING: School expert: How to help at-risk students and know where ‘the line’ is
Janice Meadows, who has lived on Lorenz Avenue for 30 years, called 911 on Feb. 16 after hearing gunshots outside.
“I knew the gunshots were close from how loud it was,” she said. “I thought someone was shooting toward my house — it sounded that close.”
Meadows lives a couple doors down from where Murray was shot. Murray moved into the rental home around the end of summer, she said.
“We’re really sorry we didn’t have time to get to know them,” she said. “It’s such a tragedy.”
Meadows says it’s a safe neighborhood because the residents know each other and most have lived there for many years.
Sometimes, she said, small groups of people hang out on the streets or corners, but neighbors will call the police if there’s too much activity.
“We’ll call because we’ve got children and grandchildren,” she said.
About the Author
