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Police report: Officer Leo was shot in chest
By SAMANTHA PHILLIPS
GIRARD
The city police officer killed in the line of duty Saturday night was shot in the chest, according to a police report released Wednesday.
Police had not officially confirmed that Jason Marble, 37, was the man who shot and killed officer Justin Leo, 31, until the report was released.
The report, filed Monday, stated officers responded to a “disturbance possibly involving shots fired” at 408 Indiana Ave. It did not mention how many shots Marble fired at Leo. The report said a second officer returned fire and killed Marble.
The second officer’s name was turned over to the Trumbull County Homicide Task Force and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the report said.
Ohio BCI said Wednesday it is still investigating, and it may be a few months before the results are released, depending on when the coroner and toxicology reports are finished.
The initial incident report said Marble was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol.
There are still questions when it comes to the shooting, but in its aftermath, the community is pulling together to offer support for Leo’s family.
Jimmy’s Italian Specialties in Liberty will donate all profits from Saturday sales to the family. It also will rename a sandwich after Justin.
Frank Occhibove, store manager, said Leo was a regular at the shop and always had the same order.
“When he came in, his smile was so intoxicating, it made you want to smile and brightened your day,” he said. “He was a genuinely nice person. He will be deeply missed.”
Customers have sent deli trays to Leo’s parents, Pat and David Leo, since he was killed, Occhibove said.
Jimmy’s also will have a tribute book in the store so customers who knew Leo can sign and write messages for his family. The book will be given to the parents.
Aimee Krause, assistant store manager, said Jimmy’s was going to have the fundraiser sooner but thought it would be fitting to have it the day of Leo’s calling hours.
“Such a tragic loss,” she said. “He was a spectacular person, inside and out.”
Krause went to high school with Leo and remembers him for his smile, friendliness and willingness to stand up for the underdogs.
Other companies in the area also are collecting donations for the family, such as Pizza Joe’s in Girard.
Leo’s calling hours will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday at Covelli Centre on East Front Street in downtown Youngstown. His funeral Mass will be at 1 p.m. Sunday at Beeghly Center on the campus of Youngstown State University.