Officers investigating fatal West Toledo shooting Tuesday

Homicide victim Stacy Coker

The killing of Stacy Coker will forever mark his sister's birthday.

Toledo police responded about 11 p.m. Tuesday to shots fired in the 900 block of Continental Boulevard. They found Coker, 49, dead at the scene with gunshot wounds to his face and forehead. 

It was the same day Tonya Garmon Jones turned 46. Ms. Jones, of Grovetown, Ga., urged those with information to call police and help detain a killer.

“It is not to bring closure. You cannot bring closure until you bring my brother back. But what you can do is help somebody else's family from going through what my family went through,” she said.

Detectives on Wednesday continued investigating the West Toledo killing. An autopsy found no evidence of close-range gunfire.

Sgt. Kevan Toney said there are no suspects at this time.

“It’s still in the early stages; (investigators) don’t have a lot to go on right now," Sergeant Toney said. “They’re still working to determine why he was there and the circumstances around it.”

Ms. Jones said Coker was home with his girlfriend when he received a phone call and left to assist his uncle with an unknown problem.

Coker was a funny, playful man who always protected relatives. He had two adult children and two grandchildren, she said.

“He took care of everybody. Stacy was the person who never bothered anybody, ever,” Ms. Jones said.

Neighbor Jacob Lohr, 21, was home during the shooting. He heard two gunshots about three seconds apart. 

“I think everyone's still just a little shook up about it, but everyone's going to be OK. This neighborhood's strong,” he said.

Alysha Dixon, 41, initially thought the gunshots were fireworks, a common noise from nearby Sleepy Hollow Park.

“We hear stuff happen around here all of the time, but that was really close,” she said.

After five years at her residence, Ms. Dixon said she and her family intend to move because of this homicide. Hundreds of people will often gather at the park and turn rowdy, she said. 

Coker’s death is the 29th homicide this year in Toledo and 30th in the metro area. The city had 17 homicides at this time last year.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stopper at 419-245-1111. Callers may remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.

Staff writer Allison Reamer contributed to this report.