Police identify suspect accused of killing pregnant woman, 16-year-old in Dayton shooting

DAYTON — Police are searching for a suspect accused of shooting and killing a pregnant woman and a teenage boy in Dayton.

News Center 7 was there as family members gathered to remember the woman on Thursday.

The shooting happened shortly before 6:20 a.m. Wednesday to the 1400 block of Shaftesbury Road, News Center 7 previously reported.

The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as 32-year-old Precious Taste and 16-year-old Deante Johnson.

As reported on News Center 7 at 6:00, Dayton Police Major Brian Johns revealed in an update Thursday that Taste was four months pregnant at the time of her murder.

“To say it’s upsetting — I just can’t image what the mother and the family and friends are going through,” Johns said.

Police identified the suspect as Nicole Cunigan Jr., also known as Nico. He’s the former boyfriend of Taste and the father of her 4-year-old twins, He’s also believed to be the father of the child she was pregnant with.

Cunigan Jr, Nicole Narome (05/22/1992) Cunigan Jr, Nicole Narome (05/22/1992) - Held in custody of Montgomery County Jail with booking number 22-000996 on 01/24/2022 at 11:31 AM. Probation Violation - Probation Violation Ccs (Pending); Second Degree Felony - Felonious Assault (Pending); Fifth Degree Felony - Domestic Violence/Injry (Pending); (Montgomery County Jail)

Cunigan allegedly came to the home on Shaftesbury Road twice on Wednesday morning. The first time, he and Taste argued. He left and allegedly came back with a handgun around 6 a.m.

>> PHOTOS: Officers, medics on scene after reports of Dayton shooting

Police believe he broke in through a side window and almost immediately shot Johnson, a family friend. He then went and shot Tase with their shared children in the home.

Cunigan left the home in a white Chevy Malibu, which was later recovered in Trotwood.

Investigators said this wasn’t the first altercation between Cungian and Taste. He was already on probation for stabbing her in 2022.

Police are still looking for Cunigan. They advise that people use caution if they see him, as he’s considered armed and dangerous.

“He shot his longtime girlfriend and mother of his children, who was pregnant with his child. He murdered her,” Johns said. “So if he will do that, he will murder anybody.”

Anyone with information that can help police is asked to contact 937-333-1232 where they can speak with a detective. If the person wishes to remain anonymous they can do so through Crime Stoppers at 937-222-STOP (7867) or www.miamivalleycrimestoppers.com.

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