Youngstown police recall Kaluza shooting scene

Police witnesses recalled in court this afternoon what they saw on the morning of March 24, when KFC Manager Joseph Kaluza was shot.

Youngstown police officer James Rounds testified in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court that he was called to the scene at South and Hilton avenues and arrived at about 10:15 a.m.

“I saw that a red Kia SUV was up in a driveway with a gentleman inside, and I was told that it was one of the vehicles involved in the accident,” said Rounds.

When he saw Kaluza slumped over in the driver’s seat and observed blood on his chest area, Rounds determined it was more than an accident.

Officer Robert Eshenbaugh was also on the scene and said when they realized the driver was shot, officials knew it was an assault.

By the time Eshenbaugh had arrived he said the victim was able to speak. Kaluza told officials he had been robbed.

Both Rounds and Eshenbaugh were involved in securing the crime scene.

The trial of Taran D. Helms and his girlfriend, Hattie L. Gilbert, is ongoing before Judge Timothy E. Franken of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.

Both defendants are charged with attempted murder, felonious assault, aggravated robbery and kidnapping, with firearm specifications to all counts. Both face between six and 50 years in prison if convicted of all counts and specifications.

Helms, 23, of West Hylda Avenue, is charged with robbing and shooting Kaluza. Police said Gilbert, 20, of East Judson Avenue, drove her car in the staged crash that preceded the robbery and shooting on the city’s South Side.

Kaluza, manager of the KFC on South Avenue, was driving south on South Avenue when a car cut him off and caused a crash, which was captured by a Western Reserve Transit Authority bus camera, police said.

The gunman pushed Kaluza’s car a short distance into a Hilton Avenue driveway, demanded money and received the bank deposit. Kaluza was shot in the neck.