Lima man shot outside home of acquaintance

12/18/2002

LIMA, Ohio - A 25-year-old Lima man has been charged with the murder of a 20-year-old acquaintance.

James A. Wall, Jr., 20, of Lima was found shot to death early yesterday morning in front of the home of Timothy Hall with a single bullet in his head, Lima police said.

“I have no idea. I have no idea,” James A. Wall, Sr., said about his son's death. “Probably when the fellow goes to court, then we'll find out.”

Mr. Hall is being held in the Allen County jail without bond.

He is to be arraigned today in Lima Municipal Court.

Maj. Larry Winegardner declined to comment on a possible motive in the case.

But he said Mr. Wall was in front of Mr. Hall's home at 574 Harrison Ave. when he was killed.

The victim's father described him as a “good guy” who stayed away from drugs and gangs.

The younger Mr. Wall was a plumber, his father said, and the baby of the family.

Friends and family gathered at the Walls' Orena Avenue home yesterday to offer comfort and attempt to help the family deal with the death.

“There was just a knock on the door, and the police were there to tell us,” Mr. Wall said.

“He went over to a friend's house. He was on his way home. He went over and played those Sega games.”

Mr. Wall said witnesses told him that his son was smiling just moments before the shooting.

“We're puzzled ourselves,” he added. “We have no idea what provoked this.”