Nicholas Andrew Tubbs was a 21-year-old White man from Grafton, Ohio, with a passion for life. Born in Lakewood, he was a cherished son, brother, grandson, and uncle. His family told reporters he loved his job in the heating and cooling field, his family, and lifting weights, spending much of his free time at the gym. Nicholas also found joy in riding and shared his life with his girlfriend, Hailey Keller.
On the afternoon of Thursday, November 2, 2023, Nicholas was in the parking lot of
the Walmart on Chestnut Commons in Elyria. At approximately 4:54 p.m., a 911 call reported that a man had been shot. Police and paramedics arrived to find Nicholas suffering from gunshot injuries. He was rushed to University Hospitals Elyria Medical Center, but he succumbed to his injuries early the next morning on November 3, 2023. Authorities later described the shooting as an isolated incident.
The Elyria Police Department launched an immediate investigation. Based on their preliminary findings, they secured an arrest warrant for a suspect. On Friday, November 3, officers located and arrested 19-year-old Roosevelt Benton of Oberlin at his home. Nicholas's family expressed their gratitude to the police for the quick arrest.
Roosevelt Benton was initially charged with felonious assault and was arraigned in Elyria Municipal Court on November 3. The following Monday, November 6, prosecutors added a charge of murder. A judge set Benton's bond at $1 million. As of November 2023, the case against him was pending in the court system.
