The death of Austin Skinner has remained unsolved for nearly a year, but officers say they know the motive behind the killing: guns.
According to Dayton police the 19-year-old was connected to the theft of several guns in Clinton County. Officers believe Skinner was trying to sell the weapons when he was shot to death on South Euclid Street, in the parking lot of an apartment building.
"I was talking to my daughter and I just heard (the gunshots)," a witness told News Center 7 that day.
Detectives said that although while selling guns is a serious crime, it was not one worth dying over.
"During the course of these guys selling these stolen firearms, Mr. Skinner was shot and killed and another (friend) was gravely injured," said Sgt. Gary White, head of Dayton's homicide squad.
Skinner's friend survived the shooting, but the men who fired the shots got away with the stolen guns.
"As a result of this murder, there are 30-some handguns or firearms that flooded into the streets of Dayton," said White. He added that some of the stolen weapons have already been linked to other homicides.
Authorities said they have identified several suspects in Skinner's death. One of the suspects, who police declined to identify, was the victim of a different killing this year.
Initially police said they got information on the case from anonymous tipsters, but those people are now needed to come forward and share their identities to help close the case.
"(We need them to) sit down with us and talk to us and tell us who they are, what they know, and be a witness in this case," said White.
Police are also interested in talking with anyone else who my have information about Skinner's death. The number for Dayton police is 333-COPS, or you can contact Sgt. Gary White directly at 333-1190.
May 31, 2009
Dayton's Michael Jordan may not have been an international superstar, but to his friends and family, he was an important part of their lives.
When someone shot him to death in May, neighbors in the area of Fountain Avenue grieved as well.
"It's unfortunate. I feel bad for the family, one person down for no reason whatsoever," said one woman.
Dayton police sid they believe Jordan was killed when he attempted to buy a small amount of marijuana. Officers said he was outnumbered by at least four alleged drug dealers who beat, robbed, shot and killed the 46-year-old.
Police said the men could have easily let Jordan live, but killed him for no reason at all. Now, authorities said they need the right person with the right information to be willing to stand up and testify.
"We just need that credible person, that credible face, that credible statement to be available to the prosecutors and the courts," White said.
Detectives said they have narrowed down their pool of suspects and believe they have identified their suspects, but still need more evidence from the community to lead to any arrests.
Officers said if the killers are not held accountable for the crime, they could very likely kill again.
"It certainly seems like when a homicide suspect is not held responsible for that first homicide, then the following homicide means even less to them," said White.
If you have any information on this case, if you saw something or know something by word of mouth, contact Dayton police at 333-COPS. You can also contact Sgt. Gary White directly at 333-1190.