Police identify suspect in stadium shooting

Friday, August 25, 2006 Witnesses initially were reluctant to tell authorities what they'd seen. By HAROLD GWIN VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER YOUNGSTOWN — The city prosecutor credited two detectives with developing leads that identified the suspect in a homicide Saturday in the former South High School stadium. Detectives Pat Kelly and John Kelty uncovered some very credible witnesses who were able to identify Anthony M. Caulton, 25, of Youngstown, as the shooter, said city Prosecutor Jay Macejko. The detectives had to overcome a number of obstacles to gather that information, he said. Police had said early in the investigation that witnesses weren't forthcoming with many details, despite the fact that there were more than 600 people in the stadium when Larry C. Jones, 31, of Ravenwood Avenue, was shot multiple times by his assailant. Police Chief Jimmy Hughes held a press conference Monday, calling on witnesses to come forward and offering to accept anonymous tips if people were afraid to openly reveal what they'd seen. Detective Sgt. Elrico Alli said the plea for witnesses seemed to help as more tips began coming in. Macejko said sufficient evidence was developed to issue arrest warrants Thursday for Caulton on charges of murder, having a weapon under disability (while under indictment on drug offenses in common pleas court) and conveying a weapon into a school safety zone. The stadium is behind Eagle Heights Academy, which occupies the old South High School. Judge Maureen A. Cronin of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court issued a court order Thursday revoking Caulton's bond in the drug case and ordering his arrest on a bench warrant, directing that he be held without bond. Macejko said Mahoning Valley Violent Crimes Task Force officers were given the warrants and were actively pursuing Caulton. Finding him has proved difficult. He's remained at large since the shooting, despite the fact that police have been looking for him as a "person of interest" in the case. Meetings set The shooting occurred during a peewee football game, prompting suburban teams to reconsider allowing their children to play at games in Youngstown. The Northeastern Ohio Youth Football League, which represents nine area teams, plans to meet Monday with Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams about security issues before making a final decision on coming into the city to play. The league will hold its own meeting on the issue Wednesday. There were no security officers at the stadium on the day of the shooting, and Williams said he learned that the city Park and Recreation Department hadn't required that security be provided by the Volney Rogers Youth Football League, whose teams were playing. That is likely to change, the mayor said, noting that security may be required at all events at any city venues. The Mahoning Valley HitMen, an indoor football team, has offered a $5,000 reward for any video shot at the game that can be used to identify the killer and lead to his arrest and conviction. HitMen owner and head coach Jim Terry said he hadn't received any responses as of late Thursday afternoon. gwin@vindy.com