Dameon Jermaine Bates, a 29-year-old male from Toledo, Ohio, tragically died on November 28, 2021, from a gunshot wound to the head. The Lucas County Coroner ruled his death a homicide. Bates was found in the 3500 block of North Erie Street, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following Bates' death, his friend Mychal Smith, aged 30, was arrested and charged with reckless homicide.
According to police reports, Smith and Bates were "horsing around" with a gun during a party when the weapon discharged, striking Bates in the head. Smith was taken into custody at the scene and later booked into the Lucas County Corrections Center with a bond set at $250,000. His preliminary hearing was scheduled for December 7, 2021.
The case drew significant attention in Toledo, as Bates' death marked the 66th homicide in the city for that year. The community and Bates' loved ones have since been seeking justice and closure in the wake of this tragic incident.
Does this cover what you were looking for?
