Police discover signs of shooting within South Side murder scene

Detectives canvassed the neighborhood.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — The homicide victim found with his throat cut inside 2803 Cain St. on the South Side may also have been shot, said Capt. Kenneth Centorame, chief of detectives, adding that more will be known once the coroner’s report is available.

The victim, Jajuan Robbins, 20, didn’t live at the house, just hung out there, according to the friend who found him around 11:50 a.m. Wednesday, Centorame said. The captain said the house was vacant. Records show it was purchased in January by a man who lives in California.

Robbins, whose last known address was on Pasadena Avenue, had been dead only a matter of hours when found. No car was found in the driveway.

First officers to enter the house found bullets on the kitchen counter and blood on the living room walls, carpet and fireplace. A silver gun with the grip missing was on the floor, as was the top half of a broken bottle with what appeared to be blood on it, reports show.

Robbins was found on a bedroom floor with his throat cut.

Centorame said Detective Sgts. Rick Spotleson and John Patton were back at the crime scene on Thursday, canvassing the neighborhood.

Centorame said he doesn’t believe gunfire two days before on Cain Street is related to the homicide.

The victims’ parents, overcome with grief, spoke briefly to detectives on Wednesday, Centorame said.

The captain said Robbins was arrested July 29 in a stolen car and charged with receiving stolen property.

Robbins is the city’s 19th homicide victim of the year. There were 23 murders at this time last year.