Benny Barefield, a 48-year-old man from Middletown, Ohio, was tragically shot and killed on December 14, 2018, while he was in his car talking on the phone outside his home. The incident occurred near the corner of Yankee Road and Ninth Avenue. Barefield's red Buick Lucerne moved forward and struck a stop sign after he was shot.
Following Barefield's death, Middletown police arrested three suspects and identified a fourth in connection with the shooting.
The suspects, including Quanterius Keith, Dwight Bailey III, and a 17-year-old male, were charged with aggravated murder or complicity to aggravated murder, as well as other felonies such as participating in a criminal gang. A video from Barefield's home security camera captured the shooting, showing a person in a hooded sweatshirt firing three shots.
Despite the arrests, the case took a turn when the Butler County grand jury declined to indict the suspects, citing insufficient evidence. Consequently, the suspects were released from custody. However, the investigation remained active, and Middletown police continued to follow up on any tips they received. The case was still under investigation, and authorities stated that if new evidence emerged, they would present it to the grand jury again.
The ongoing investigation and lack of resolution have been particularly difficult for Barefield's family, especially during the anniversaries of his death. His sister, Dia Arnold, expressed the family's frustration and grief, emphasizing the impact on Barefield's children, some of whom are young. The family believes that Barefield's death, along with other unsolved cases in the city, is tied to gang violence.
In March 2019, U.S. Marshals arrested Daniel Fitzgerald, a fourth suspect believed to be involved in Barefield's death. Fitzgerald was taken into custody without incident and faced charges of complicity to aggravated murder. Despite these efforts, the case has yet to reach a conclusion, and the family continues to seek justice for Benny Barefield.
Benny Barefield's death has left a lasting impact on his family and the community, and the quest for justice remains ongoing.
