Toledo man’s bond set at $1M in shooting death of girlfriend

Markeda Holcomb-Brownlee, mother of murder victim CreJonnia Bell, listens during proceedings for Traquawn Gibson in Toledo Municipal Court. He went before a judge Tuesday.

The Blade/Andy Morrison
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Traquawn Gibson walks in for his arraignment Tuesday in Toledo Municipal Court on a murder charge for allegedly shooting to death his girlfriend CreJonnia Bell.

Bond was set at $1 million Tuesday for a Toledo man accused of shooting to death his girlfriend of six months.

Traquawn Gibson, 18, 2720 Elm St. is charged with one count of murder for allegedly shooting CreJonnia Bell, 19, four times Sunday night. Toledo Municipal Court Judge Timothy Kuhlman set Mr. Gibson’s bond. He was being held in the Lucas County jail late Tuesday.

Markeda Holcomb-Brownlee, Miss Bell’s mother, said her daughter recently tried to end her relationship with Mr. Gibson, who was apparently unhappy about the split.

After the arraignment, Mrs. Holcomb-Brownlee, who was surrounded by friends and family, including her 9-year-old son Nicholas Lopez, stormed out of the courtroom. Crossing the street from the downtown courthouse, she yelled, “I can never get another CreJonnia. Never get another.”

Miss Bell, who was a student at Owens Community College studying dance, was the elder of Mrs. Holcomb-Brownlee’s two children. She had previously been enrolled at the University of Toledo studying criminal justice.

Markeda Holcomb-Brownlee, mother of murder victim CreJonnia Bell, listens during proceedings for Traquawn Gibson in Toledo Municipal Court. He went before a judge Tuesday.

At a vigil Monday night outside Moody Manor, where the family had lived several years ago, Mrs. Holcomb-Brownlee said her daughter was a victim of domestic violence.

“No woman should have to deal with the abuse,” she said. “All women need to know, if he hits you once, he’ll hit you twice. He’ll hit you three times.”

Miss Bell was shot four times — in her chest, abdomen, and head, an autopsy performed Monday showed.

Mr. Gibson has cases pending in both Toledo Municipal Court and Lucas County Common Pleas Court.

In municipal court, he faces assault charges stemming from a reported gang-related fight outside a Start-Scott high school football game Sept. 28. Police have said Mr. Gibson is a Manor Boy — the Manor Boys are a Bloods affiliate with ties to Moody Manor.

In common pleas court, Mr. Gibson faces one count of aggravated burglary for allegedly entering Scott High School opn Oct. 10 with the help of a student inside the building. Authorities said he assaulted a student and threatened a teacher.

He was indicted Thursday and his bond was set at $20,000, which was posted by a bail bondsman, according to court records. He failed to appear for a hearing on Monday because he was in the county jail for the homicide.

A warrant was issued and Judge Ruth Ann Franks ordered his bond set at $75,000.