Larry Eugene Dayton, a 59-year-old man from Columbus, Ohio, was tragically murdered on April 21, 2018. Dayton was found dead in his home on Wisconsin Avenue in the Franklinton neighborhood after police responded to a call about a shooting. The investigation revealed that Dayton was killed with his own assault-style rifle, which he was attempting to sell.
Two suspects, Scott Allen Salyer, 28, and Meagan M. Purks, 18, were arrested and charged with Dayton's murder. According to police reports, Salyer and Purks went to Dayton's home with the intention of buying the rifle. However, the situation escalated when Salyer loaded the gun, pointed it at Dayton, and demanded money before ultimately shooting him. Both suspects were taken into custody without incident the following day.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Salyer was sentenced to 15 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter and illegal possession of a firearm. Purks pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and faced a maximum of three years in prison, though she was eligible for probation.
The case drew significant attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the fact that Dayton was killed with his own weapon. The incident was the 31st homicide in Columbus in 2018, highlighting ongoing concerns about violent crime in the area.
Dayton's death and the subsequent legal proceedings underscore the tragic consequences of what began as a transaction gone wrong. The case also brought to light issues related to gun violence and the dangers associated with private firearm sales.
