Damian Clay Johnson was a 15-year-old male from Lima, Ohio, who was about to start his sophomore year at Elida High School. His family remembered him as a rambunctious soul with a kind heart, known for his quick wit, infectious laugh, and playful spirit. Damian was passionate about basketball, video games, and tennis shoes, and he loved spending time with his family, friends, and his pet, Rylo.
On the evening of July 27, 2025, a vehicle arrived at Mercy Health–St.
Rita’s Medical Center around 5:50 p.m. In the back passenger seat, Damian was unresponsive, suffering from a gunshot wound to his abdomen. He was pronounced dead shortly after his arrival; an obituary later recorded his time of death as 6:03 p.m.
The Lima Police Department opened a homicide investigation and, after speaking to witnesses and reviewing surveillance video, traced the shooting to the 2000 block of North Metcalf Street. The day after the shooting, investigators arrested a male juvenile in connection with Damian's death and took him to the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center.
Authorities later identified the arrested teen as 15-year-old Kavon Lasenby. In September 2025, he appeared in Allen County Juvenile Court on charges including aggravated murder, murder, and aggravated robbery. A judge ordered a mental health assessment for Lasenby to help determine if his case would be transferred to adult court.
The investigation led to a second juvenile suspect, Chevion Snyder. After a bindover hearing in February 2026, Snyder's case was moved to adult court. In April 2026, an Allen County grand jury indicted him on charges of aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery, felonious assault with a firearm, and tampering with evidence.
In May 2026, Snyder's attorney filed a motion to dismiss the indictment, but a judge denied the request the following month. As of July 2026, the case was proceeding toward trial, with Snyder's defense attorney having filed a notice with the court stating that his client planned to claim self-defense.
