On July 16, 2023, 41-year-old Steven Marquese Smith was found deceased in the backyard of a residence on the 1000 block of Reese Avenue in Lima, Ohio. Responding to a report of a man down, officers discovered Smith had suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Investigators quickly identified two suspects: 42-year-old Latoya McClellan and her 17-year-old son, Donya Perkins. McClellan was arrested on suspicion of tampering with evidence, while Perkins was held on charges of delinquency by murder.
In November 2023, an Allen County grand jury indicted Perkins, who had turned 18, on two counts of murder, felonious assault, discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, tampering with evidence, and carrying a concealed weapon. Two of these counts included firearm specifications.
In March 2024, McClellan was sentenced to 18 months in prison for hiding the firearm allegedly used by her son in the shooting.
Born on May 9, 1982, in Lima, Steven was a member of Grace Life Church and worked at Rudolph’s Foods. He is survived by his parents, Steven F. and Verna Wash; four children: Jamar O’Neal, Nylan Smith, Nijaea Amerson, and Ajanae Cotton; a sister, Lacelia Smith; and a brother, Jireh Wash. He was preceded in death by a son, Tir’ Yuian Ti’ly Smith.
The community mourns the loss of Steven Smith and continues to seek justice for his untimely death.
