Man arraigned in city's 37th homicide for 2011
12/31/2011A Toledo man charged with fatally shooting another man Friday night was arraigned in Municipal Court Saturday morning.
James C. Smith, 35, 1937 Parkdale Ave., who is charged with murder, was held Saturday in the Lucas County jail in lieu of $1 million bond.
He is alleged to have shot and killed Antonio Johnson, 27, outside the Parkdale home at about 4:18 p.m. Friday.
HOMICIDE DATABASE: Toledo-area killings
Toledo police Sgt. Joe Heffernan said the circumstances for the shooting are unclear, but there appeared to be an ongoing argument between the two men.
“Did he shoot out of anger or did he shoot for safety? It’s a little gray right now,” the sergeant said.
The murder charge was filed after police took a statement from Mr. Smith and then consulted with the Lucas County Prosecutor’s Office, he said.
Mr. Johnson was taken to Toledo Hospital where he was pronounced dead, authorities said. He was the 37th homicide victim in Toledo this year; a 17-year-old boy shot to death at Tecumseh and Hoag streets in central Toledo later Friday was the 38th.
According to a police statement, Mr. Johnson, whose address was not listed, traveled to the Parkdale address at about 4:15 p.m. and pounded first on a screen door and then, after breaking that door, on the main door.
Police say Mr. Smith fired one shot through the door that struck Mr. Johnson in the chest.
Mr. Smith was taken to the Safety Building, where he gave investigators a statement. Upon consultation with the Lucas County Prosecutor’s office, Mr. Smith was arrested, charged with murder, and booked into the Lucas County jail, Toledo police Sgt. Tim Noble said in a prepared statement.