Man indicted in uncle's shooting death

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A Mahoning County grand jury has handed up an indictment against a Youngstown man accused of shooting his uncle during an argument earlier this month.

Emmett Perkins IV, 25, who listed addresses on Paxton Road, Boardman, and West Princeton Avenue, Youngstown, was indicted on a single count of murder with a firearm specification. If convicted, Perkins could spend the rest of his life behind bars. Perkins is in Mahoning County jail on a $1 million bond.

The county coroner ruled that 28-year-old Frank Whitted died of a single gunshot wound to the chest after being shot at 1:34 a.m. Feb. 12 at a home on West Princeton Avenue on the city’s South Side.

Whitted’s 2-year-old son and a woman were in the house at the time of the shooting but were not injured. Police placed the child in the care of an aunt.

Police believe the shooting culminated an argument between Perkins and Whitted.

Perkins’ prior criminal record includes felonious assault, domestic violence, endangering children and misdemeanor assault.

Perkins likely will be arraigned in Mahoning County Common Pleas Court in two weeks.