Police identify man killed in North Toledo shooting

A copy of a recent photograph of Christopher Childress, 21, who was shot once in the chest when he was confronted by the homeowner of a home he was allegedly attempting to burgle.

Toledo police Sunday identified the victim of Saturday night's fatal shooting on Galena Street in North Toledo as Christopher Childress, 21, of North Toledo.

Sgt. William Wauford said Mr. Childress was shot once in the chest when he was confronted by the homeowner, whom police declined to immediately identify over "concerns about his safety."

The resident had just arrived home at 811 Galena St. about 8:30 p.m. and saw signs that his home had been burglarized.

Investigators say two other people may have been inside at the time and a second person may have been wounded, Sergeant Wauford said.

Sergeant Wauford said the homeowner had a revolver and used it to shoot at the intruders. The shooting occurred toward the rear of the home on the first floor.

"He [the resident] had just come home when he saw some lights on" and noticed the house was in disarray, the sergeant said.

"He was within his rights to have the weapon," Sergeant Wauford said. The homeowner has a concealed-carry permit, the sergeant said.

After he was shot, Mr. Childress ran from the home and collapsed near Galena and Michigan streets. He was taken to Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 9:07 p.m.

Police said the victim lived in the area where the shooting occurred but they did not release his address.

Earlier yesterday, friends and family members of the shooting victim placed candles and left written messages on a poster where he fell.

Officers went to at least two addresses on North Ontario Street as they looked for another person who may have been shot.

Sergeant Wauford said police were following up on a report that a second person went to a hospital for treatment, but police did not have an identity.

Chris Bacome, who lives two doors away, said he heard gunshots and then saw the victim run west before collapsing near the corner of Galena and Michigan Street.

"It looked like some kids tried to break into the house and then I heard gunshots," Mr. Bacome said. "He went down right over there and the police came and they were doing CPR on him. He wasn't moving when they took him away in an ambulance."