Local News

49-year-old victim died of apparent gunshot wound

Tribune Chronicle

NEWTON FALLS -- A man police said died from a gunshot would to the head was identified Sunday as 49-year-old Howard Smith.

Police Chief Gene Fixler said Smith lived in a second-floor unit at Newton Village Apartments at 615 Ridge Road, where it appeared he was shot early Saturday morning.

A female resident of the apartment complex called 911 at 12:37 a.m. Smith was found dead in the bedroom.

Fixler said he kept Smith's identity confidential until his relatives were notified.

The chief said he was reviewing the 911 call log and audio tape Sunday afternoon to see if they would provide any clues to the shooting.

"This doesn't look to be an accident," Fixler said. "But the investigation is continuing."

No arrests had been made as of Sunday night, according to Fixler.

A news release from Fixler Saturday said that after the investigation is completed, "facts will be presented to the prosecutor."

A crew from ServiceMaster Restoration by All-Action in North Lima was cleaning up the crime scene Saturday. A member of the crew said the work was mostly contained to a bed.

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