Neighbors flush blood from sidewalk

YOUNGSTOWN – After a blaze of gunfire, a seriously wounded man was rushed to the hospital — and neighbors pulled out their garden hoses to flush blood down the gutter.

That was the scene Wednesday morning on South Truesdale Avenue on the East Side, after Robert “Poke” Peoples, 44, of East Cleveland, was gunned down.

Peoples was in St. Elizabeth Health Center where he underwent surgery. A hospital spokesman said he was in “undetermined” condition.

Police at the scene said Peoples was critically injuried, shot several times.

Detective Sgts. John Kelty and Ramon Cox obtained a warrant this afternoon charging Peoples’ brother, Anthony Peoples, 40, of Atkinson Avenue, with felonious assault and aggravated burglary.

Kelty said Anthony and Robert Peoples had been involved in a “family dispute.” The shooting started at 153 1/2 S. Truesdale, Kelty said, when Anthony Peoples forced his way into the house and opened fire.