Family tries to cope with fatal drive-by

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.

jgoodwin@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

A family is searching for answers after a city man was gunned down in broad daylight on the city’s North Side.

“He was all I had,” said Wanda Greer of her son Brian Greer. “I am so sick of the random, senseless killings in the city. It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Brian Greer, 32, of Republic Avenue, was shot and killed at 6:30 p.m. Monday on Lauderdale Avenue. He had been shot once in the head and multiple times in the body. He was pronounced dead at St. Elizabeth Health Center.

Wanda Greer and her husband, Bill, spoke about the shooting at The Vindicator.

She said she hopes someone comes forward with information about the person responsible for her son’s murder. She said the murders and lack of community cooperation with police must come to an end.

Witnesses said someone drove past the residence firing at the house when Greer was shot.

Wanda Greer said she had just spoken to her son before receiving the bad news. The shooting took place the day after Brian Greer’s daughter’s birthday. His mom had called to tell him she was going to spend time with his children.

She said she cannot understand why her son was at the Lauderdale home or why anyone would want to shoot him.

She said her son was a little wild as a younger man but had become a wonderful father to his five kids and active in the community with young people, especially those interested in youth football and music.

She said Brian, who owned a production company, was planning to take a group of young people to a music production in New York this summer.

“There was nothing he wouldn’t do for anyone. He did a lot for the kids and with the kids,” said Wanda Greer. “He would give his last to anyone who needed it.”

At the scene of the shooting, yellow cones marked the locations of shell casings across the sidewalk and front yard of the one-story red-brick house. A red baseball cap was in the front yard with a pair of women’s high-heeled shoes nearby.

Bill Greer said the family believes Brian was set up for robbery. He said neither his son’s jewelry nor his wallet has been recovered.

A South Side teenager told police a thin black man with single braids took pictures of the scene, including nearby vehicles. The witness said the man drove a four-door burgundy Mercedes Benz with tinted windows.

The witness told police about threatening phone calls. Police said the calls — including death threats — were made from a phone with a blocked number.

Brian Greer is the city’s ninth homicide victim this year. There were seven homicides at this time in 2009.