Saturday, September 14th, 2019
3 arrested in St. Marys shooting
Father died and son was injured in 2018 attack
By Sydney Albert
WAPAKONETA - Three people from the Columbus area have been arrested in connection with a 2018 shooting in St. Marys that resulted in the death of one person and the hospitalization of another.
Syniqua M. Bell, 31, was arrested Aug. 22; Jacar A. Bitting, 27, was arrested Sept. 9; and Keith T. Waddell, 31, was arrested Sept. 12, all in connection to the April 2018 shooting that took place at a condominium at 10988 State Route 364, according to an Auglaize County Sheriff's Office news release.
All three suspects are currently being held at the Auglaize County Adult Detention Facility.
At about 3:22 a.m. April 11, 2018, a male had called 911 stating he had been shot. Deputies had responded to discover two victims with gunshot wounds, later identified as Dexter Lee Turner, 47, and Alim Amir Turner, 25. The father and son had been transported to hospitals by the St. Marys Rescue Squad. Alim Amir Turner had been sent to Lima Memorial Health System while Dexter Lee Turner had been transported to St. Rita's Medical Center, where he later died of his injuries.
Bell is charged with six first-degree felonies, including one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, one count of attempted aggravated murder and two counts of attempted murder with a gun; two counts of second-degree felony felonious assault; and a third-degree felony of obstructing justice.
She is currently being held on a $500,000 bond, subject to 10% cash option, and is scheduled to appear for arraignment at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 18.
Bitting also is charged with six first-degree felonies, including aggravated murder with a gun, two counts of murder with a gun and three counts of attempted murder with a gun; two counts of second-degree felony felonious assault with a gun; and third-degree felony weapon possession under disability.
He is being held without bond, and is scheduled to appear for arraignment at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 16.
Waddell also faces six first-degree felonies, including aggravated murder with a gun, two counts of murder with a gun, one count of attempted aggravated murder with a gun, two counts of attempted murder with a gun; two counts of second-degree felony felonious assault with a gun; and third-degree felony weapon possession under disability. He is awaiting his initial court appearance.
The sheriff's office declined to share any further information on the case.
"This has been a long, intense investigation, involving more than one agency, including a few from outside the area. We appreciated their assistance," sheriff Al Solomon said in the release.
The sheriff's office was assisted by the St. Marys fire and police departments; Celina Fire Department; Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation; and the Columbus, Whitehall and Lima police departments.
