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Man shot when drug deal sours, police say
The man will be arraigned after he is released from the hospital.
YOUNGSTOWN — A 33-year-old Struthers man told police he had been robbed and shot on the city’s South Side, but he was the one who was arrested.
Police were sent early Monday to a bar in the 2900 block of South Avenue, where they met Christopher Pasco, 33, of Struthers, standing in the bar’s bathroom. Pasco had been shot in the lower chest.
According to police, Pasco said he was at one South Avenue bar then went across the street to meet a friend. He said he was approached by two men asking if he would like to buy marijuana outside the second bar.
Pasco told officers he refused the offer to buy drugs, and one of the men pulled a gun and demanded money, reports said. He said he told the man he did not have any money, and one of the men shot him in the chest.
Shortly after the shooting, police watched a surveillance video that depicted a slightly different chain of events than stated by Pasco.
According to police, the video, recorded by one of the bars, shows Pasco approach two men standing in front of the second bar. Pasco walked to the side of the building with one of the men.
Reports say the man tried to grab money out of Pasco’s hand, and Pasco tried to grab something from the man’s hand, leading to a fistfight. Police said Pasco punched the man in the face, and the man pulled out a handgun and shot Pasco in the chest.
Officers went to St. Elizabeth Health Center, where Pasco was being treated for the gunshot wound. Once at the hospital, officers learned that Pasco was wanted on a warrant for possession of marijuana. Officers also discovered Pasco had suspected marijuana in his possession at the hospital.
Police put a hold on Pasco in the hospital. He will be placed in the Mahoning County jail pending arraignment in Youngstown Municipal Court.
Officers did identify the man who was outside the bar with Pasco but did not do the shooting. Neither of the men has been arrested.
jgoodwin@vindy.com