Teen killed in Springfield birthday party shooting identified; 2 others injured

SPRINGFIELD — A teenager was killed and two others hurt in a shooting at an 18-year-old’s birthday party at an event center on South Yellow Springs Street

The Clark County Coroner’s Office identified the victim who died as Melvin Belle Jr., 16, of Springfield.

The shooting happened in the 1900 block of South Yellow Springs Street just before midnight Sunday.

“They were all under 18, they were all juveniles, ranged in age from 15 to 17,” said Springfield Police Lt. Lou Turner. “A fist fight ensued in the parking lot, one of the people pulled out a weapon and shot randomly”

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A 911 caller told dispatchers he saw the shooter.

“I was driving right beside at the light and seen the gunshots happen,” the 911 caller said. “He was trying to conceal it and put it in his jacket as he was running.”

The caller said the shooter was wearing a grey zip-up sweatshirt, dark colored skinny jeans and white tennis shoes. Turner said police have not yet made any arrests.

All three of the shooting victims ended up showing up at Springfield Regional Medical Center with gunshot wounds. Belle died at the hospital and another was taken to Miami Valley Hospital in critical, but stable condition, Turner said. The third teen was treated and released from the hospital.

The three teens who were hurt in the shooting did not appear to be involved in the fistfight.

“Everybody’s carrying guns and so that’s what it usually leads to, escalates to that affect,” Turner said.

Police were back at the shooting scene Monday looking for more evidence, but have not identified the shooter.

The event center where the shooting happened was the same place where six people were shot in the summer during a gathering.

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Another round of violence may have the police division speaking with the private events center about its future.

“It can’t be controlled, if you are just renting it out, they can invite anybody,” Turner said. “An innocent party at first but you never know who will come to the party and cause problems.”

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