Deontae Allen shot to death fleeing attackers
10/20/2012
Nikira Weathers, left, looks at a picture of Deontae Allen, as Vena Reynolds tapes it down where Allen, 19, was shot and killed Thursday night in the 1400 block of Waverly Avenue.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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Nikira Weathers, left, looks at a picture of Deontae Allen, as Vena Reynolds tapes it down where Allen, 19, was shot and killed Thursday night in the 1400 block of Waverly Avenue.
Deontae Allen was running from his assailants when he was shot to death Thursday night, authorities said.
Deontae Allen
The 19-year-old Toledo man was shot once in the torso, as he fled from a parked car in the 1900 block of Fernwood Avenue with a friend, Limmie Reynolds III, 20.
He didn’t make it far — police found him dead in a back yard in the 1400 block of Waverly Avenue.
Mr. Reynolds was shot once in the chest, police said.
Authorities report he was taken to Toledo Hospital for treatment, although a hospital spokesman said the hospital had no information about a patient by that name.
On Friday, Toledo police Sgt. Tim Noble said investigators were piecing together details of the crime, but it appeared the victims were sitting in the parked car when they were approached by a group of men — at least one armed with a gun, at about 10 p.m.
The victims got out of the car and ran, but were ultimately shot, Sergeant Noble said.
No suspects have been named.
Mr. Allen’s family declined to comment.
Lucas County Deputy Coroner Dr. Maneesha Pandey ruled the death a homicide after performing an autopsy Friday.
No bullets were recovered from the teen’s body, she said.
On Fernwood, friends and family of the slain teenager gathered Friday afternoon — listening to songs about loss and building a small memorial on a pole along the street.
“He was well-loved. Quiet. Didn’t bother anybody,” said Vena Reynolds, whose sons — 19 and 21 — were friends with Mr. Allen.
Ms. Reynolds, who is not related to the 20-year-old victim, doesn’t believe that Mr. Allen was the person whom shooters wanted.
“I know it’s the wrong person,” she said.
Mr. Allen’s death marks the 26th homicide in Toledo this year.
He is the fourth person in the city, 19 years of age or younger, to die from gun violence.
Since January, 33 people 19 or younger have been shot in Toledo, according to records maintained by The Blade.
Hearing such numbers and knowing the teen who was killed makes Ms. Reynolds want to hold her sons “a lot closer,” she said.
“It’s very hard,” she said. “Very hard.”
At this time last year, 21 people had been killed in Toledo.
Contact Taylor Dungjen at: tdungjen@theblade.com or 419-724-6054.