Man faces felony charges

By ED RUNYAN

runyan@vindy.com

WARREN

Wallace L. Walters, 28, of Draper Avenue Southeast has pleaded innocent in Warren Municipal Court to two felony offenses in connection with a Sept. 24 shooting in the parking lot of a social-service agency.

The incident resulted in multiple gunshot wounds to a 19-year-old Warren man, who was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center and is expected to recover.

The victim and Walters were arguing before the 2:15 p.m. shooting in the parking lot behind the ACOP Center, 2051 Niles Road SE, police said.

Walters pleaded innocent Thursday to felonious assault and being a felon in possession of a firearm, meaning he was prohibited from carrying a firearm because of a previous felony conviction or indictment. Warren police said Walters’ previous incident took place in Georgia.

Walters is in the Trumbull County jail in lieu of $250,000 bond. He returns to court at 1:30 p.m. Thursday.

The U.S. Marshals Task Force arrested Walters Wednesday at the Days Inn, 1300 Youngstown Road, Niles, after receiving a tip that he might be there.

Members of the task force, along with officers from the Warren and Niles police departments, established surveillance at the hotel and arrested Walters without incident about 10:30 a.m.

Officers recovered a handgun, ammunition and body armor in the room.

The Marshals Service said in a press release that it will continue to assist with the case by finding individuals they believe helped Walters avoid capture for several days.

Anyone who aids or assists a fugitive can be charged with a felony offense, said Peter J. Elliott, U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Ohio.