Family of Fairborn man killed while working at hotel speaks out for first time

The brother of a Fairborn man fatally shot while working at a local hotel said he hopes his brother’s killer gets the maximum penalty.

RELATED: Defendant eligible for death penalty in shooting of Hampton Inn clerk

Andrew Day, known as Andy to friends and family, was shot and killed in March behind the front desk at the Hampton Inn of Colonel Glenn Highway in Fairborn during a robbery.

“He didn’t do anything wrong at all,” his younger brother, Daniel Day said. “He didn’t even put up a fight, apparently, from what we’ve been told. ... He was doing exactly what he was told to do because he thought he’d be able to make it home that night -- but he didn’t.”

Andy Day loved his job, but not as much as the 29-year-old loved his family, which included his wife and their 6-year-old daughter.

“I lost my brother and my best friend ... she lost her husband and her world,” Daniel Day said of his sister-in-law Brittany Day.

“Brittany changed his life and Andy was such a great dad, a great brother,” Daniel Day said.

READ MORE COVERAGE OF THE HAMPTON INN SHOOTING:

Fairborn hotel shooting suspect makes court appearance

Hampton Inn employee fatally shot: What we know now

Andy Day’s accused killer was arraigned Friday in Greene County Common Pleas Court Friday in Xenia following his indictment earlier this week. It was the first time the Day’s had seen him.

Michael McLendon, 25, pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers declined to comment. He is charged with aggravated murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault and violating parole. He was ordered to remain in the Greene County Jail without bond.

The Days say it’s been a difficult two months for the family, which is getting through it together.

“We’re trying to have fun or hang out or just get our feelings out completely because I don’t want them to get bottled up from either of us because it’s just going to explode.”

There’s still a long road ahead for the Day family.

The legal process is just getting started. McLendon’s trial is scheduled for June. If convicted, he could get the death penalty.

“Yeah, I’m hoping he gets the death penalty,” Daniel Day said.

This is not McLendon’s first legal trouble.

He was convicted of aggravated robbery in Montgomery County in 2012.

The judge ruled he’ll stay in jail between now and his trial.

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