Suspect in police-involved shooting reportedly damaged at least 7 businesses

DAYTON — Before the officer involved shooting in Dayton, police say Shawn Keirns threw rocks at at least seven businesses in the Belmont area breaking numerous windows.

Angie’s Firehouse Tavern is one of the businesses left with broken windows.

“Today just happened to be my birthday so there were balloons there and I found a rock on the floor and I said oh is this for me?” Pat Reed, owner of Angie’s Firehouse Tavern, said.

Reed picked up the rock and looked at the front of his building, after walking in the side door. He saw something was wrong with his window and found the hole left by Keirns throwing the rock.

Reed then saw his second window facing Watervilet had an even bigger hole busted through it from a larger chunk of concrete.

Reed was initially curious and worried about who could have done this damage, was out front where he saw other business owners surveying similar damage to their buildings.

After police arrived to fill out reports for all of the businesses that’s when he learned that the person responsible was likely the same one involved in the shooting with officers over night as well.

1st rate 2nd hand, A1 Trophy, Angie’s Firehouse Tavern, Baker Heating and Air, Consolidated Electronics, Hazy Shade, and Vogue Nails all had either broken glass or a hole in their window from rocks.

Reed said they all shared a similar sentiment of frustration. He echoed his feelings with a sign he put out front that read “Thanks for the vandalism COVID wasn’t enough.”

“We’re all independents,” Reed said. “And struggling with COVID and the timing it couldn’t be worse.”

Reed estimates the repairs will cost thousands of dollars and is hopeful that insurance will lessen the burden. Regardless this is going to impact his restaurant’s bottom line.

“Our seating was already down to about 50% now we’re down to about 30% because obviously these areas can’t be used with the holes in the windows,” Reed said.

“Hopefully the glass company is going to come through in a reasonable amount of time.”

While difficult for Reed and other business owners he said they’ll make it through but now it’s just one more challenge in a year that’s already been filled with struggles for local businesses.

Cox Media Group