On the evening of January 30, 2025, 29-year-old African American male Mykael D. “Mikey” Callahan was fatally shot in Middletown, Ohio. Officers responded to reports of gunfire around 7:30 p.m. on the 3700 block of Lacy Court and found Callahan lying on the ground with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to Atrium Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The Warren County Coroner ruled his death a homicide.
Investigators determined that Callahan and 25-year-old Dylan J. Busam had arranged a $25,000 THC product transaction with a 21-year-old man from Indiana via Snapchat. When the Indiana man arrived, Busam entered the front passenger seat of his vehicle, while Callahan got into the back. Busam took the man's phone and wallet, and Callahan allegedly pointed a gun at him, threatening, “Don’t make a move. You just drove two hours for nothing.” During a struggle over the firearm, Busam removed boxes from the Indiana man's vehicle and loaded them into another car at the scene. As Callahan attempted to conceal his weapon, the Indiana man drew his own gun and fired multiple shots, striking Callahan.
Although Busam did not fire a weapon, he was arrested the following day and charged with murder and aggravated robbery. Under Ohio law, individuals involved in felonies that result in death can be held criminally responsible, even if they did not directly cause the fatality. Busam was booked into the Middletown City Jail, with bond set at $1.25 million. Authorities stated they are not seeking additional suspects in the case.
Mykael Callahan was born on October 11, 1995, in Hamilton, Ohio. He is survived by his son, Mykael DeRaunte Callahan Jr.; his parents, Strawbari Callahan and David Smith; and numerous siblings and friends. His funeral services were held on February 13, 2025, at Tried Stone Baptist Church in Middletown.
