The case is assigned to Butler County Common Pleas Judge Charles Pater, but an arraignment date has not been set. Kyles is being held in the county jail in lieu of $1 million bond.
Police responded to a home in the 800 block of Ninth Avenue after reports by “concerned neighbors” on Oct. 12. They found Stewart “laying face down on the threshold between the living room and dining room suffering from multiple gunshot wounds,” according to records.
Stewart was found dead at about 9:57 p.m. Police made a traffic stop a short time later that was suspected to be connected to the homicide, according to court documents.
Detectives said several subjects had been “conducting robberies on drug dealers. Detectives were made aware of a traffic stop conducted by officers shortly after the murder,” according to the documents.
After conducting interviews and receiving information from witnesses, they learned Kyles was allegedly going to Stewart’s house for a robbery of money and marijuana, “however in so doing victim (Stewart) was shot and killed by Kyles,” according to court documents.
Middletown Major Scott Reeve said Stewart’s shooting is part of ongoing gang activity. Kyles is believed to be part of the Road Runner gang that has been involved in shootings and homicides in the city in recent years.
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Kyles was indicted in June on a charge of participating in a criminal gang for allegedly burning an item taken from a memorial of Joseph Davis, 17, who was shot and killed in May 2018 as part of ongoing gang activity.
Gonnii White, 17, was convicted in June 2019 of Davis’ murder with specifications for the use of a firearm and participating in a gang for the death of Davis. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 21 years.
According to Middletown Detective Kristi Hughes, Kyles posted a video himself on social media burning a stuffed animal taken from Davis’ memorial as well as making gang signs and gang affiliation comments. That led to the indictment.
Kyles is scheduled to be in court on the gang charge next month for a pre-trial hearing.
Kyles, who turned 18 in March, has had 15 contacts with Butler County Juvenile Court since July 2015.
Charges included multiple counts of domestic violence, disorderly conduct, assault, disorderly conduct, inducing panic and multiple probation and parole violations, according to juvenile court records.
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