On June 4, 2006, Damario Buford, a 21-year-old male from Akron, Ohio, was fatally shot during an altercation outside the Exotica Night Club around 2:15 a.m. The incident remains unsolved, with no arrests or identified suspects. The Ohio Attorney General's Office has highlighted this case as an unsolved homicide, seeking public assistance to gather information and tips that might help bring the perpetrator to justice.
Following Damario Buford's death, his family members, including Polly
Buford and Shamika Malone, filed compensation applications with the Victims of Crime Division of the Ohio Judicial Center. Polly Buford sought reimbursement for funeral expenses, while Shamika Malone filed on behalf of herself and her child, who was identified as Damario Buford's afterborn child. The Attorney General's Office granted a total of $6,673.20 for funeral expenses, but denied claims for dependent's economic loss and replacement services loss.
Despite ongoing efforts, the case has not seen any significant developments in terms of arrests or litigation. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation continues to solicit tips and information from the public to aid in the investigation. The case remains a cold case, with the hope that new information might eventually lead to a resolution and justice for Damario Buford and his family.
