ELYRIA, Ohio — A 15-year-old male was shot and five people were arrested following a shooting that led to a police pursuit, a crash into a residence and the recovery of five firearms in Elyria.
According to the Elyria Police Department, officers responded at approximately 1:25 a.m. June 15 to reports of shots fired near Washington Avenue and Harrison Street.
While responding to the area, an officer observed an SUV operating without headlights and attempted a traffic stop. Police said the vehicle failed to stop and fled northbound on Washington Avenue.
The SUV continued at a high rate of speed before crashing into a tree and a residence in the 600 block of Washington Avenue. Following the crash, multiple occupants fled on foot. Officers established a perimeter and deployed additional resources, including K-9 teams and a drone, to assist in the search.
Police said two firearms were observed and later recovered from inside the vehicle. No injuries were reported as a result of the crash.
Investigators determined the shooting had occurred moments earlier in the 300 block of Washington Avenue. During the investigation, officers discovered that at least one nearby residence had been struck by gunfire. No residents were injured.
A 15-year-old male involved in the incident was located shortly after the crash suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported for medical treatment and is expected to recover.
Detectives continued their investigation throughout June 15 and identified the occupants of the vehicle as well as several individuals believed to be involved in the shooting.
As a result of the investigation, 21-year-old Damarion Rucker of Elyria, who police identified as the driver of the SUV, was arrested and charged with Failure to Comply with the Order or Signal of a Police Officer, a fourth-degree felony, and Obstructing Official Business, a fifth-degree felony.
Police also arrested 18-year-old Rayon Davidson of Elyria, a passenger in the SUV, on a charge of Obstructing Official Business, a fifth-degree felony.
Both men were transported to the Lorain County Jail pending proceedings in Elyria Municipal Court.
Detectives also identified a 15-year-old male who was in the vehicle during the incident and fled from officers following the crash. He was taken into custody on a charge of Obstructing Official Business, interviewed by detectives and transported to the Lorain County Juvenile Detention Home.
As the investigation progressed, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for 18-year-old Marcel Martin of Elyria on charges of three counts of Felonious Assault, Improperly Discharging a Firearm Into a Habitation, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Receiving Stolen Property.
On June 17, Martin was located and arrested by members of the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force and Elyria detectives at his residence. He was transported to the Lorain County Jail pending his initial court appearance.
Police also identified another 15-year-old male who was present during the shooting. He was taken into custody and charged with Felonious Assault, Improperly Discharging a Firearm Into a Habitation, Carrying a Concealed Weapon and Receiving Stolen Property. He was transported to the Lorain County Juvenile Detention Home.
During the investigation, officers recovered a total of five firearms believed to be connected to the incident.
The investigation remains active and additional charges are anticipated, according to police. Anyone with information regarding the incident is encouraged to contact Detective Miller of the Elyria Police Department.
