TOLEDO, Ohio — Two young lives were lost in two separate shootings on Sunday. Both incidents happened within just 12 hours of each other in separate parts of Toledo.
The first shooting was at 1:30 a.m. on Langdon Street in south Toledo near Western Avenue and the Anthony Wayne Trail. Toledo police said someone killed 16-year-old Jacob Barrett. The Lucas County Coroner ruled his death a homicide from a gunshot wound to the chest.
Police then responded later on Sunday to Sylvania and Hoiles avenues in west Toledo around 2 p.m.
Officers found 20-year-old Michael Bradford-Washington suffering from multiple gunshot wounds before emergency crews rushed him to the hospital, but he did not survive. The Lucas County Coroner ruled his death a homicide, too.
On Monday morning, WTOL 11 returned to the scenes of both incidents to learn more about these crimes.
It was quiet on Langdon Avenue, a far cry from the flashing lights and the sound of blaring sirens of the morning before.
Returning to the scene on Monday, WTOL 11 met a man standing on the corner who claimed he was Barrett's uncle and he said he knew details about what happened but had no desire to share.
"Anytime you lose a loved one, it hurts, especially when it's someone younger than you," said TPD officer Prince Flores. "Because they are supposed to grow up, they're supposed to succeed. So we take it personal just like the families would and we'll do everything we can to figure it out."
Flores said with the investigation still active, the information he can share about the shooting on Langdon Street or the one in west Toledo that killed Bradford-Washington is limited, but his heart goes out to both of the victims and their families.
"Any shootings we have, we wish that we didn't," Flores said. "Especially when they involve youth or juveniles of a younger age."
The intersection of Hoiles and Sylvania avenues was also quiet, much like Langdon Avenue.
It was there that WTOL 11 spoke to Nikki Burkholder, the director of special ministries at Pilgrim Church, located just across from the site of Sunday's shooting. She said the shooting left the congregation scared.
"The community is amazing, and to see something like this happen hurts all of us," Burkholder said. "It was God's day and I almost felt hurt and I was in pain."
But Burkholder said it won't deter the church from continuing its outreach to the community, extending this offer to the families of both victims.
"We have resources available. If they do want help, they can call and ask us and see what we can do to get through this hard time," Burkholder said.
On top of the two homicides, there were two non-fatal shootings and three shootings in homes this past weekend.
Flores said if you have any information on any of these incidents, call or text Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111. You can remain anonymous and could be eligible for a cash reward.