A Toledo man was killed early Friday inside a central-city bar and the man accused of shooting him is in jail on a murder charge, authorities said.
The shooting occurred at about 1:40 a.m. Friday at the Classic Lounge, 2224 Nebraska Ave. Police said Darnell Mitchell, 38, was killed and the gunman fled from the bar.
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Officer Anthony Waldon, who was working off-duty for Classic Lounge, chased the suspect outside and fired his department-issued handgun. Charles Johnson, 36, apparently suffered a gunshot wound and was treated at a local hospital.
Police could not immediately confirm whether Officer Waldon fired at Johnson.
Mitchell was taken to ProMedica Toledo Hospital and pronounced dead at 2:07 a.m. An autopsy determined Mitchell suffered multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Lucas County Coroner's Office.
Johnson was also taken to ProMedica Toledo Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.
After being released, he was interviewed by detectives and booked into the Lucas County Jail on a charge of murder. Investigators have not yet established a motive or any relationship between the men.
The shooting occurred shortly before the bar was scheduled to close, said Daryl Oliver, 58, a manager at Classic Lounge. There was no altercation between the men before the incident.
Mr. Oliver said Mitchell has visited the bar in the past, and that he did not recognize Johnson. The shooter was inside for less than 10 minutes, he said.
“I was trying to duck because it happened so fast. When it happens, you’re trying to get out of there,” said Mr. Oliver.
The bar provides security and continues working to ensure patrons’ safety, he said. Mr. Oliver called the fatal shooting a sad occurrence.
Acquaintances at the homes of both Mitchell and Johnson declined a reporter’s request for comment Friday.
Officer Waldon, 37, joined the police department in November, 2010. He was placed on paid administrative leave for at least a few days while the investigation continues.
The Internal Affairs Division of the Toledo Police Department will conduct a review.
This is the second homicide in Toledo as well as in the metro area this year.
Staff writer Mike Sigov contributed to this report.
Contact Ryan Dunn at: rdunn@theblade.com, 419-724-6095, or on Twitter @rdunnblade.
First Published February 13, 2016, 5:00 a.m.
