YOUNGSTOWN Homicide victim was wanted in assault

By PATRICIA MEADE
VINDICATOR CRIME REPORTER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Two days before Marquell L. McClain died on a South Side street from gunshot wounds, a warrant had been issued for his arrest.
McClain, who died around 4 a.m. Wednesday on Volney Road, had been accused of firing a 9 mm handgun over the weekend at a 27-year-old Otis Street man on Lora Avenue. The Otis Street man, who was visiting his girlfriend, said McClain fired several shots during a chase through North Side rear yards.
The felonious assault charge was filed Monday in municipal court, and the warrant was issued that day. It wasn't the first time warrants had been issued for McClain, whose identification listed a Lilburne Drive address police suspect was fictitious.
McClain, 21 and originally from Georgia, was stopped by police last August when officers saw him and another man drinking beer in a car on Indianola Avenue at Market Street. McClain was charged with having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle, and his companion was charged with illegal possession of a firearm.
McClain failed to appear in court on the charge, and a warrant was issued in September. He was apprehended Feb. 7.
Another warrant was issued Feb. 13 on a separate traffic charge and was served on McClain when he showed up in municipal court on Feb. 22.
Gunshots heard
When found by police Wednesday morning, McClain was wearing a red do-rag on his head, bluejean shorts and a red shirt with "Ali" written on the back. He was bleeding from the head and unresponsive.
He had a 9 mm in his waistband loaded with five rounds, police said.
A witness who had been on Indianola Avenue near the shooting scene told police he heard several gunshots and, as he rounded the corner to Volney, saw a newer model dark car with its lights off drive north on Volney.
Several neighbors reported hearing gunshots but didn't see anything.
On Wednesday afternoon, police found a stolen car on McFarland Avenue that they think may have been used in the homicide. The car was towed and held for detectives.
Detective Sgts. Gerald Maietta and Jose Morales said McClain's car was not on the street. The victim's presence in the neighborhood, the detectives said, may have involved a drug deal.
McClain had been sought for questioning in the homicide of Mikal Allah, 20, of Broadway Avenue, said Lt. Robin Lees, public information officer. Allah's burned body was found about 5 a.m. March 14 in Crandall Park on the North Side next to his burned-out car.
meade@vindy.com