Toledoan is charged in shooting

Victim was shot 3 times near St. Paul’s Community Center

4/26/2014

A Toledo man charged in a downtown Friday morning shooting is to be arraigned Monday in Toledo Municipal Court.

Houston Hart III, 27, of 516 Adams St. is charged with felonious assault for allegedly shooting Louis Barton, whose age was not available.

The shooting, on 13th Street between Jefferson and Madison avenues, was reported to police at 9:08 a.m. The victim was taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center for treatment after being shot three times; a hospital spokesman said no one named Louis Barton was at the hospital.

According to an affidavit, the victim told police he “ran into” the suspect at St. Paul’s Community Center, 230 13th St., and, outside, got into an argument. Police said Mr. Hart went to the trunk of his vehicle, got a gun, and fired. Four shell casings were found at the scene.

Mike Foley, 64, of Toledo, a volunteer at St. Paul’s, said Mr. Hart works full-time at the center as a cook.

“This is totally out of his character,” Mr. Foley said. “I’m still wondering what exactly happened.”

Shortly after the shooting, Mr. Hart was taken into custody near the LaSalle Apartments on Adams.