Community groups talk gun safety after fatal shooting of 14-year-old in Toledo

TOLEDO, Ohio —

A 14-year-old boy died after being shot in the head in west Toledo on Thursday.

TPD said Davion Boone was shot at least once by a friend in the 4500 block of Walker Avenue Thursday, just before 6:30 p.m.

Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz said the shooting was accidental. He said the two teens were playing with a gun when one inadvertently shot. 

Emergency crews took Boone to an area hospital, where he later died. Police took his friend, who is also 14, to the juvenile justice center, where he is charged with felonious assault and reckless homicide.

Police have not said how the teens had access to a gun. 

JoJuan Armour used to be a violence interrupter for the city, but he now speaks at Toledo Public Schools, where Boone was a student at Start High School.

Armour said he uses the 7 Mindsets curriculum, which teaches kids mental health solutions.

“It was the first curriculum I purchased for the gun violence initiative, and the community members bought in,” Armour said. “They participated thoroughly. I’ve just continually seen success, and I’m so excited that TPS is now part of that 7 Mindsets family.”

Other groups, like the Toledo Buffalo Soldiers, also talk with kids and parents about gun safety. 

“Starts at home,” Toledo Buffalo Soldier Fred LeFebvre said. “Starts with the kid understanding respect for life, respect for themselves and respect for other people. The gun safety to adults comes into play and then a collaborative effort with the community.”

Toledo Buffalo Soldier Earl Mack said they teach kids not to touch guns.

“You run away, find a grown-up, tell that grown-up,” Mack said. “We have to reach out to parents, too, because those firearms should be locked up in a home.”