2 dead in North Toledo were shot in head

Victims identified as Darnell Green, 23, and John Hill, 25

12/10/2013
BLADE STAFF
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    An ambulance stands by at Lagrange and East Pearl streets while police investigate a reported shooting at 25 E. Pearl St.

    The Blade/Lori King
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  • Cones mark evidence in front of a house at 25 E. Pearl St. where the victims were found.
    Cones mark evidence in front of a house at 25 E. Pearl St. where the victims were found.

    The two men who were shot and killed in North Toledo on Monday night were each shot in the head.

    Darnell Green, 23, was shot a total of seven times -- his wounds were to the head, torso, and both arms, said Lucas County Deputy Coroner Dr. Maneesha Pandey.

    John Hill, 25, suffered only the gunshot wound to the head.

    Both deaths are homicides and toxicology tests are pending, Dr. Pandey said.

    Darnell  Green
    Darnell Green

    RELATED CONTENT: 2013 Blade Homicide Report

    John Hill.
    John Hill.

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    Toledo police said at least 10 shots were fired into 25 E. Pearl St., in North Toledo, where several people were hanging out.

    Sgt. Joe Heffernan said all of the shots were fired from outside the residence and both victims were found dead inside.

    Sergeant Heffernan said the shots were fired through a glass-paneled door.

    The motive is unclear, police said, and suspects are still being sought.

    East Pearl is in an area that's claimed by Bloods gangs, but police did not know if gang ties prompted the shooting. They also don' t know if Mr. Hill and Mr. Green were intended targets.

    Police said they have little information that would definitively link either man to a gang.

    A video posted to Facebook about a month ago features both men singing a song about Elijah Mathis, Mr. Green's cousin who was a known gang member, who shot himself in 2010. In the song, tribute is paid to other deceased Blood gang members, and Mr. Hill and Mr. Green say “We all Bloods,” but that could have more to do with where they lived and guilt by association, said Mr. Green's mother, Kenya Williams.

    Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111.