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Suspect faces court in murder of boy, 8
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Wilson
YOUNGSTOWN
An assault rifle was recovered Tuesday near the East Side residence of Shawn Ramone Wilson, 21, whom police expect to be charged today with aggravated murder in the death of an 8-year-old boy.
Bryce Linebaugh was killed about 1:15 a.m. Monday as he slept in a bunk bed at his home, 1404 Maplewood Court, in Rockford Village.
“We believe Wilson had an argument with an individual who lived next door [to Bryce]. It’s really senseless. It’s a disrespect issue that got ramped up,” said police Chief Rod Foley.
Police searched a wooded area next to Wilson’s Browning Avenue residence about 10 a.m. Tuesday and found a weapon after about 30 minutes of searching, police said.
Police have said the shooter used a semi- automatic assault rifle, possibly an AK-47, to fire 6 to 12 rounds into the boy’s house and that of a next-door neighbor. Police recovered five shell casings in the parking lot across from 1404 Maplewood Court, and one live round also was found among the casings, according to reports.
Wilson was named a person of interest Monday and turned himself in to police about 4 p.m. that day. Wilson was taken to Mahoning County jail for an unrelated probation violation.
In 2009, Wilson was charged with carrying a concealed weapon twice and in December 2009, he pleaded guilty to improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and was sentenced to three years of community control with the Adult Parole Authority, according to Mahoning County court and jail records.
In January, Wilson was found guilty of a probation violation on the improper handling charge by Judge Lou A. D’Apolito and sentenced to continue his community control in documents that read, in part: “The Court finds ... a non-prison sanction would adequately punish defendant and protect the public ...”
Wilson was told if he violated any terms or conditions, the court would impose a prison term of one year.
Officials with the Mahoning County juvenile court said Tuesday that Wilson did not have a felony record there.