Toledo police on Thursday arrested a 17-year-old Detroit boy and charged him with murder for the shooting death of a 3-year-old on Thanksgiving.
The teenager, whose name was not immediately released Thursday, was brought to the downtown Safety Building Thursday evening and arrested after speaking to detectives. The teen, who police said has ties to Toledo, was transported to the Juvenile Detention Center to await arraignment.
Malachi Barnes was a passenger in a vehicle on I-75 near Collingwood Boulevard when a vehicle pulled up and opened fire. After the shooting, Malachi’s father, Anthony Barnes, drove to Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center where his son later died.
A second child, 10 years old, was cut from broken glass. Mr. Barnes and the third child — a 2-year-old — were not hurt.
Police believe the shooting was not random, said Lt. Kevan Toney, spokesman for the Toledo Police Department. Investigators believe Mr. Barnes was not specifically targeted in the attack. The shooting may have been a case of mistaken identity, he said.
Detectives have worked the case tirelessly since the shooting, and hope the arrest could help Malachi’s family sleep easier. The investigation is ongoing, however, Lieutenant Toney said.
Any tips that help police solve this case could be eligible for a reward, Lieutenant Toney said. Tips should be directed to the Crime Stopper program at 419-255-1111.
First Published December 7, 2018, 1:20 a.m.
