Man, 37, killed, woman injured in North Toledo

Home invasion claims 22nd homicide victim in city in '11

Bystanders react as authorities respond to a homicide at 339 Weber St. in Toledo, where, police say, two men opened fire inside.

A North Toledo couple were shot — one of them fatally — Monday evening during a home invasion.

Darnell Townsend-Tall, 37, was shot inside 339 Weber St. about 6:30 p.m., police said. He died at the scene about 15 minutes later.

Zyra Braswell, 29, was taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center with a gunshot wound in the leg; her condition was not available Monday night . A “pit bull” also was shot.

Mr. Townsend-Tall is the 22nd homicide victim in Toledo this year and the 27th in metro Toledo. An autopsy is scheduled Tuesday at the Lucas County Coroner’s Office.

Police said two masked men in hooded sweatshirts shot at the door, then went inside and opened fire, first shooting the dog, then the couple. Police could not find the dog after following its blood trail outside.

Mr. Townsend-Tall’s uncle, Scott Townsend of Toledo, said it appeared someone may have been trying to rob his nephew. “He’d help anybody out,” Mr. Townsend said, standing outside the home where nearly 100 family, friends, and neighbors gathered. “He’d give you anything. They didn’t have to kill him. He didn’t have a problem with anyone.”

A man in a black T-shirt crouched in a driveway across the street and sobbed. “Oh, God,” he cried, cradling his head in his hands.

Mr. Townsend said his nephew had three daughters and two sons. “I dropped everything I was doing and got over here as fast as I could,” he said, tears welling in his eyes.

Another woman, standing just in front of the house, yelled she was on the phone with Mr. Townsend-Tall when gunfire “started poppin’ off.”

Mr. Townsend made a public plea for help, asking everyone gathered at the home to call Crime Stoppers with information that would help police find the persons responsible. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 419-245-1111.

HOMICIDE REPORT: Toledo-area killings