Cops: Woman likely killed where found near North Side church

By Joe Gorman | October 22, 2016 at 12:08a.m.

YOUNGSTOWN

Police say a 28-year-old woman who was found shot to death Friday morning in an alley behind a North Side church likely had been there for 12 to 36 hours.

Also, investigators do not believe she was killed somewhere else and left there, said Lt. Doug Bobovnyik, lead investigator on the case.

The woman, whose name investigators did not release late Friday, was found about 9:30 a.m. by a custodian at Centenary United Methodist Church in the 1400 block of Belmont Avenue.

The custodian alerted other church staff members, who then called police, said the pastor of the church, the Rev. Dawan Buie.

The woman’s death is the 16th homicide in the city this year and the first since a man was found shot to death Sept. 21 in a home on Kensington Avenue.

Bobovnyik said the victim had not been reported missing. He said she was “known to police” but would not be specific.

Friday’s rain also did not help in terms of collecting evidence. Bobovnyik said outdoor crime scenes can sometimes be difficult because of weather and the effect it can have on evidence.

The Rev. Mr. Buie said he and his staff are saddened about what happened.

“We’re praying for this person and their family and the community at this time,” Mr. Buie said.

In 2015, Youngstown had 23 homicides. At this time last year, there were 16 homicides in the city.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crimestoppers Youngstown at 330-746-CLUE or the police department at 330-742-8929.