UPDATE@9:30 a.m. (Feb. 17):
Bond was set at $250,000 for Willie Boyd Jr., charged with murder in the shooting death of Jamelle Willis early Thursday morning at a Tytus Avenue recording studio.
Middletown Visiting Judge Robert Messham Jr. entered a not guilty plea on Boyd’s behalf and set a preliminary hearing date of Feb. 24. He will be appointed a defense attorney.
UPDATE @ 6:50 a.m. (Feb. 17):
Middletown police have arrested a man wanted in a fatal shooting of a man Thursday morning.
Willie James Boyd Jr., 21, also known as ” Yung God,” was arrested Thursday night, according to police. He is in the Middletown City Jail on aggravated murder charges.
UPDATE @ 3:30 p.m. (Feb. 16):
Middletown police have issued a warrant for the arrest of a man they believe is responsible for the fatal shooting of a man early this morning at a Tytus Avenue business.
Willie James Boyd Jr., 21, also known as ” Yung God” with addresses in Franklin and Dayton, is wanted for murder the shooting of Jamelle C. Willis, aka “3 Stax,” 29, of Shafor Street in Middletown.
Detectives were told the victim and suspect are close friends and the shooting resulted from an argument inside the business at 2014 Tytus Ave.
The sign on the business says Razors Edge, but business cards in the window indicate it is a recording studio called Collective Studio Inc. with Willie Boyd listed as studio director.
When officers arrived at about 2 a.m., they found Willis dead on the floor.
Officers conducted a search with a police dog, but were unsuccessful. Detectives said there were additional patrons inside the business that fled prior to the police arriving on the scene, including the shooter. Several people were still in the area and were questioned by investigators.
Police have conducted multiple search warrants in connection to this case and the investigation is continuing.
Anyone with information about the shooting or Boyd’s whereabouts is asked to call Middletown police at 513-425-7700.
INITIAL REPORT (Feb. 16):
Middletown police are investigating the fatal shooting of a man early Thursday at a Tytus Avenue business.
Jamelle Willis was shot in the back at 2014 Tytus Ave. shortly before 2 a.m., according to a police report. The Butler County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy this morning and ruled his death a homicide. Willis, 29, of Middletown, died of a gunshot wound.
A woman said she was sitting in the parking lot waiting for the driver to come out and take her home when she heard gunshots coming from inside the business. The woman when to the front door and saw Willis lying on the ground bleeding.
hours Middletown Police responded to 2014 Tytus Ave. (The Razors Edge, which is a recording studio) on a report of a shooting. On arrival officers found that Jamelle C. Willis, aka: 3 Stax, age 29 of Shafor Street in Middletown, was shot one time in the back/shoulder area and was deceased on the floor.
Officers conducted a K9 track which was unsuccessful. Detectives found that there were additional patrons inside the business and fled prior to the police arriving on the scene, including the shooter. Several people were still in the area and were questioned by investigators.
Through the investigation detectives found that Willie James Boyd Jr., aka: Yung God, age 21, who has addresses in Franklin and Dayton, Ohio was responsible for the shooting and killing of Willis. Detectives were advised that the victim and suspect are close friends and the shooting resulted from an argument inside the business.
Police have conducted multiple search warrants in connection to this case. The Butler County Coroner’s Office took custody of Willis’ body.
The investigation is continuing and police are investigating Boyd’s whereabouts. Boyd has a warrant for Murder.
Anyone with information is asked to call Middletown Police at 513-425-7700.
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