Police investigate 16th homicide of '15

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A 16-year-old male who was found with a gunshot wound to his chest Wednesday evening is the city’s 16th homicide victim of 2015.

Police reports said Devon Bailey died of his wounds at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital. He was found at a Cohasset Drive home about 8:35 p.m.

Lt. Doug Bobovnyik of the detective bureau said there were several people at the home when Bailey was shot.

He said warrants were expected to be issued sometime Thursday afternoon, but he did not return a call for more information.

Stephen Stohla, interim city schools superintendent, said counselors are available for students who knew the East High School sophomore.

“I’ve talked to some students, teachers and even some coaches. He was a nice young man,” he said.

Stohla said he doesn’t know the circumstances of the young man’s death.

“It’s tragic whenever any young person for any reason has their life cut short,” the interim superintendent said. “The board and the administration, our thoughts go out to the family.”

In 2014, Youngstown had 19 homicides. At this point in 2014, the city had recorded 11 homicides. The 16th homicide was not recorded until Nov. 17 of last year.