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Victim’s name released in deadly drive-by shooting on I-75, vehicle stopped in Middletown not involved

MIAMI TWP., Montgomery County — UPDATE @ 5:13 p.m.:

Miami Twp. police said a female driver of a blue Jeep stopped in Middletown following the shooting is no longer a person of interest and the Jeep wasn’t involved with the shooting.

Police are now looking for a dark blue SUV, but are not sure about a make or model of the vehicle.

INITIAL REPORT:

The person shot and killed on I-75 near the Austin Landing exit has been identified as James L. Brown, 64, of West Carrollton.

Two people called 911 dispatchers to report the deadly drive-by shooting they witnessed on I-75 in Miami Twp. Monday afternoon.

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In both calls, it was reported that a person in a vehicle, possibly a blue Jeep Liberty, drove up to another vehicle and shot a gun out of the back before fleeing.

Dispatchers asked one 911 caller, “This was a drive-by shooting?”

“Yeah, a car pulled up to another car and blasted him. Then the car they shot at pulled off,” he responded.

The shooting was reported on I-75 south just south of the Austin Landing exit around noon.

The caller was unsure if the victim had been hit by any of the gunfire.

In the call it was reported that multiple cars stopped along the side of the road in the midst of the shooting.

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A second 911 caller told dispatchers that a guy was on the side of the road with bullet holes through the truck.

“I’m on 75, I was behind the shooting,” the caller said.

“I swerved off to the left of the guy that got shot, he’s not in good shape so I would suggest somebody get out there.”

Miami Twp. Police said the shooting involves at least two vehicles. One of the vehicles, a blue Jeep, was stopped by Middletown Police shortly after the shooting was reported. Three people in that vehicle were being questioned by Miami Twp. detectives, said Officer Pat McCoy.

The driver of the blue Jeep, a female, was arrested on outstanding warrants, said Miami Twp. Lt. Mike Siney. No charges have been filed yet in the deadly shooting.

The shooting scene spanned from around the Austin Landing overpass to just south of the exit.

Siney said there was evidence the vehicle the victim was in was hit three times by gunfire.

Miami Twp. police said they are investigating what led to the gunfire. It was not clear whether there was an exchange of gunfire between the vehicles, however emergency dispatch traffic indicated the victim had a gun. Police also are working to determine if the victim may have known the shooter.

Franchesca Hackworth, WHIO

My journey at WHIO-TV began when I took a summer internship on the Breaking News Desk in May 2019. At a young age I quickly realized I had a passion for writing and the power words can have on our lives. Seeking opportunities to give those who feel voiceless a place to be heard is what drives me each day and reminds me why I began writing.

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