Middletown police Lt. Scott Reeve said this morning’s shooting in the 3600 block of Roosevelt Blvd is part of an “ongoing problem” involving rival gangs in Middletown.
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Chris Lewis, 28, was shot in the arm and police believe the shooting was gang related, Reeve said, adding that Lewis was also shot on Sept. 2 at Third Base Café.
Weapons, 1½ ounces of fentanyl, and money were recovered after a search warrant was executed at 3602 Roosevelt Blvd., Reeve said.
During the search of the home, police also found a T-shirt that said, “Long Live Wop,” referring to Julian Johnson.
Johnson was killed at DJs Nite Spot on Elliot Drive in May.
Malcolm Franklin from Baton Rouge has been charged with his murder.
Lewis will be charged with gun and drug charges after he’s released from Atrium Medical Center, police said.
Lewis is the cousin of Larrin Lewis, who in 2013 shot Benwan Edwards at the Elks on 8th Avenue, according to police.
Edwards survived, but has permanent injuries.
UPDATE @ noon
Middletown Police are continuing to look for suspects in this morning’s shooting, according to Lt. Scott Reeve.
Two suspects were taken into custody after the shooting and a foot pursuit, but detectives are unsure if they are connected to the shooing.
The victim was shot in the drive way of the residence and a car’s driver’s side window was also broken out.
Police are continuing to collect evidence inside and outside the residence.
UPDATE @ 10:30 a.m.
The Butler County dog warden arrived at the scene and two pit bulls were removed from the residence and placed in a fenced cage in the backyard.
UPDATE @ 9:55 a.m.
A Middletown man was shot in the arm about 8:30 a.m. this morning in the 3600 block of Roosevelt Blvd.
Chris Lewis, 28, was shot in the arm and transported to Atrium Medical Center for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries, according to Lt. Scott Reeve.
Two suspects, who police believe both fired shots, were taken into custody shortly after a lengthy foot chase to Breiel Boulevard, according to Lt. Jimmy Cunningham.
Detectives are now in the process of serving a search warrant at the residence.
Police units are also at the hospital due to a large crowd that has gathered there following the shooting, Cunningham said.
UPDATE @ 9:40 a.m.
Middletown police said two people have been taken into custody following a shooting on Roosevelt Boulevard Thursday morning.
The condition of the victim was not available.
Officers remain on the scene of a house in the 3600 block of Roosevelt Boulevard where the shooting occurred.
We’ll continue to update this page as details become available.
FIRST REPORT
Police and medics in Middletown have responded to a report of a person shot Thursday morning.
Emergency crews responded to the 3600 block of Roosevelt Boulevard before 9 a.m. after receiving the report.
The condition of the victim was not immediately available.
A CareFlight medical helicopter was placed on standby to fly to the scene, but was later cancelled.
We have a crew on the way and we’ll update this page as we learn more.
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