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WARREN -- A series of 911 calls is shedding more light on the Warren shooting death of U.S. Postal Service employee.
Jonte Davis, 33, was found at 1:44 p.m. Saturday after city police officers responded to a call of shots fired, according to a Warren police news release. Davis, found inside his U.S. postal van with a gunshot wound, was fired upon by a suspect in another vehicle, according to the release.
Officers and EMTs performed live-saving measures on scene before Davis was transported to Trumbull Regional Medical Center, where he died from his wounds, according to police.
His death marks the city's first homicide of the year.
Calls to 911 came from neighbors and a woman who identified herself to police as the mother of Davis' children.
One neighbor told dispatchers that a dark gray, four-door pickup truck pulled alongside Davis' as a passenger in the backseat fired four or five shots into Davis' postal van.
Another caller said the truck made a right turn on Washington Street NE heading toward the area of North Park Avenue.
Meanwhile, the caller said Davis continued driving down Olive Street before stopping at the intersection of Scott Street SE.
A woman told dispatch she was on the phone with him when she heard a loud crash and identified his whereabouts on North Park Avenue.
A third caller on Washington Street said he saw a blueish-gray truck "driving fast" down Washington.
After the shots were fired he said the driver of the mail truck, later identified as Davis, then "coasted off" and ended up near the intersection of Olive and Scott streets.
A neighbor who spoke with the Tribune Chronicle, but did not want to be identified by name, said Davis was slumped over the steering wheel with his hands off the wheel as he drifted into a yard down the street.
The neighbor said he moved to the area from the westside of the city to get away from the constant gunfire, but said his neighborhood has frequent shootings.
A few hours after police began investigating, the suspect vehicle was found in the driveway of 429 Maryland Ave. NE. The Mahoning Valley Crisis Response Team served a search warrant and evidence, including the vehicle, were recovered.
According to the release, several individuals were transported to the Warren Police Department and interviewed, but no one is in custody as of Monday. Police did state it is believed the victim and the suspect or suspects knew each other.
According to the release, the U.S. Postal Service and the FBI are assisting in the investigation.
The Warren Police Department has issued an appeal for witnesses or anyone with information related to the shooting to come forward. Anyone with any information about this case is being asked to contact Detective John Greaver at 330-841-2723 or at jgreaver@
warren.org.
The United States Postal Inspection Service is offering up to a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the suspect(s) involved in Davis' murder.
A release from USPS states the suspects should be "considered armed and dangerous."
People are advised to take no action to apprehend the person themselves, the release states.
A Gofundme social media page organized by the family a message reads, "The loss of Jonte has been completely devastating for our family, and we are reaching out to our friends, family and community to ask for support during this incredibly difficult time. We understand times are tough for many, and any support you can provide is greatly appreciated. The community support we have received thus far has been nothing short of amazing."
At the time of reporting the fundraiser has received over 20 donations and raised over $1,000 of its $10,000 goal.
A vigil will be held 6 p.m. Thursday at the Warren Post Office on High Street -- those that attend are asked to wear green, black and white as they plan to walk from the post office to Olive Street.
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