Terry Fuller, a 42-year-old man from Middletown, OH, was tragically shot and killed on August 1, 2022. The incident occurred in the 2100 block of Grand Avenue, where Terry was found lying on the sidewalk curb with multiple gunshot wounds. The dispute between Terry and his nephew, Denzel Fuller, 23, began earlier in the night and escalated until the fatal shooting.
Terry, who was of African American ethnicity, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Denzel Fuller was arrested and later charged with murder, felonious assault, having weapons under disability, and tampering with evidence. However, he eventually pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and other related charges. In May 2023, Denzel was sentenced to a minimum of 11 years and a maximum of 16½ years in prison for the killing of his uncle. The court also added a three-year mandatory sentence for gun specifications and additional sentences for having weapons under disability and tampering with evidence.
The case deeply affected the Fuller family, with many relatives attending the court proceedings. Denzel's mother and Terry's sister, Tina Fuller, expressed that Denzel was "not in the right state of mind" and that the fatal shooting never should have happened. Denzel himself expressed remorse for his actions and the pain it caused his family, including his 18-month-old daughter.
The Middletown police were called to the scene at 10:30 p.m. on the night of the shooting, and while no gun was recovered, more than 20 casings were found in the area. Denzel had a prior criminal record, including an arrest in 2017 for the robbery and assault of a pizza delivery driver.
The tragic death of Terry Fuller and the subsequent legal proceedings against Denzel Fuller highlight the devastating impact of family disputes and the long-lasting consequences of such violent acts.
