Latest shooting victim was out on bail

YOUNGSTOWN — A 23-year-old man out on bond in a drug case was found shot to death in a car in the 200 block of Byron Street on the East Side late Monday night.

Lamont “Boo” Belcher of Willis Avenue is the city’s second homicide in two days and the 26th so far this year. On Sunday night, Elmer Antonio Avilez-Landaverde was found shot to death behind his residence at 1504 Shehy St., also on the East Side.

Police who were called to the scene on Byron around 11:20 p.m. Monday found Belcher parked in the driveway of a friend’s house with the engine running. He was slumped over the driver’s seat with a bullet wound to the neck and blood on his face, reports show.

The rear and front passenger side windows had been shot out and several shell casings were found near the vehicle.

Detective Sgt. John Patton said no motive has been established yet. “Nobody saw anything,” Patton said today.

Court records show Belcher was arrested on two drug possession charges last month in Youngstown and had a bail-bondsman post his $27,500 bond. He was due back in municipal court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing.