Dayton police continue to investigate the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old male Tuesday evening. Formal charges were filed against Jalyn Simmons.
- James Banks Jr., 14, of Dayton identified as teen killed in shooting
- Dayton police have arrested Jalyn Simmons, 21, for murder
- Banks attended Wogaman Middle School
- He had been released from juvenile court 9 days before he was shot to death
UPDATE @ 4:55 p.m. (March 30):
The Montgomery County Prosecutor’s Office has approved formal charges of murder, felonious assault and aggravated robbery against Jalyn Simmons in connection with James Banks Jr.'s death.
UPDATE @ 7:2 p.m. (March 29): As many as 30 people, some holding balloons, gathered at a vigil to remember James Banks Jr.
Pastor James Washington, Phillips Temple, said the boy was part of a community outreach program operated in the neighborhood. Banks was part of that outreach, Washington said, and the last time people in the outreach program saw him was March 2014.
“I came out just to show this community that we love them,” he said, “that we are praying for them.”
There is a lot of grief in the community, the pastor said. “Anytime a young person is killed, it affects us all. We just want to be here to share the love of God, and to hope.”
FULL REPORT
The teen police say was shot on Wexford Place Tuesday night has been identified as James Banks Jr., 14, of Dayton, the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office said. The coroner’s office has not released a cause or manner of death yet.
Dayton Sgt. Michael Godsey said Wednesday afternoon that Jalyn Simmons has been booked into jail on counts of aggravated murder and aggravated robbery in the slaying.
“It appears it was a robbery that for some reason didn’t go according to plan,” Godsey said. “We’re still trying to figure out … it set out to be a robbery and then wound up being a homicide.”
The suspect has a “very minor” criminal record — one traffic citation — which Godsey called “very unusual” for a homicide suspect.
The teen victim was on house arrest through Montgomery County Juvenile Court at the time he was shot, Godsey said.
Banks had several charges filed against him in juvenile court during the last two years, including several misdemeanor and felony charges, according to court records.
He was arrested in June 2016 stemming from a felony robbery. He was also arrested March 9, in a felony burglary. He was released March 20.
Since April 7, 2015, Banks had 26 charges filed against him in county Juvenile Court — 10 of which were dismissed, according to court records.
Police investigators say it appears a family member took Banks to Miami Valley Hospital, where he died. Officers don't know what sparked the violence, whether Banks was the intended target or hit by gunfire meant for someone else.
Dayton Public Schools officials confirmed Banks as a student at Wogaman Middle School.
“I reached out to his family on behalf of the district, and spoke with his grandmother to share our sorrow,” DPS Superintendent Rhonda Corr said.
“When violence in the community claims one of our students, it strengthens our diligence to keep students and staff safe and secure at school. Dayton schools are on spring break this week, so no children are in class, but counselors or support staff are always available to assist any student.”
The boy’s father, James Banks Sr., said he believes his son was killed in a robbery attempt.
“Whatever they were trying to get from him, I would have gave to them to have him back,” the father said. “He was a troubled child but he was a good child; he was ours.”
One of the 9-1-1 callers told emergency dispatchers that a person had been shot multiple times and was on the ground still breathing at the time. The female caller described two to three other males who fled in a tan-colored vehicle.
“I’m acting like I’m waking up and he’s going to come up that door right now,” Banks said of his son. “Everybody was touched by him. I’m not going to say he was the most positive kid; he was a special kid. … We’re here to help them through their mistakes and now I can never help him through his mistake.”
Tuesday night, crime scene tape was put up around at least three buildings in the Hilltop Homes, an apartment complex on Wexford Place. Evidence was being collected, including clothing left on the ground.
Download our free mobile apps for breaking news and weather
