Dayton police investigating the shooting death of a teenage boy found dead in an alley Sunday said his killing does not appear to be a random act of violence.
In a news conference Monday afternoon, Dayton police Lt. Wendy Stiver said 15-year-old Deandre Choice was shot three times. Stiver said in all likelihood Choice knew the suspect or suspects.
Dayton and Trotwood detectives are working together to develop a timeline of events leading up to Choice's death. So far they have several clues to go on:
- Friday night, Jan. 17: Choice was last seen at DJ's Party House on Hoover Avenue in Dayton. His Facebook page features a flier for a birthday party being held there Friday night. He reportedly headed to a friend's house from there.
- 10:15 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 18: Choice posted a photo on Facebook of himself holding what appears to be a large sum of cash. "We are aware of a photo of the victim holding a large sum of money," Stiver said. "It's clearly suspicious and we are looking into it." She declined to elaborate further on any allegations surrounding the cash saying there may be other juveniles involved who could be at risk.
- 2:30 a.m., Sunday, Jan. 19: Trotwood Police were contacted in reference to Choice reportedly being abducted. His family lives just over the Trotwood-Dayton border, but it was determined that Choice was last seen in Dayton. No further details of that investigation have been released by Trotwood Police. Dayton police said Monday they do not know for sure that Choice was abducted. They are working to confirm that information. Stiver said no Amber Alert was issued for the missing teen on Sunday because there were not enough details to warrant the use of that system. "We usually issue an Amber Alert when we have a vehicle description or license plate," she said.
- 6:30 a.m., Sunday: Dayton Police received a call about shots being fired in the area of Westwood Avenue. They responded to the area but didn't find any evidence of a crime at that point.
- 2 p.m., Sunday: Choice's body was found in an alley. He was shot three times.
Choice's family was not home on Monday morning, but a neighbor on Crown Avenue described him as a good kid and helpful neighbor.
"He took out my trash, he was good to my kids, you know we've never had a problem with him since we've been here," said Charlei George. "It's a shame for any mother to go through anything like that, he was just a child."
