Toledo residents react to six homicides in multiple incidents over three days

TOLEDO, Ohio — Six homicides over the holiday weekend have left some Toledo residents shaken and worried about growing violence in their neighborhoods.

Kathy Allred has lived on Nevada Street in east Toledo for more than 40 years. She said it used to be quiet, but in recent years it’s felt increasingly unsafe.

“I really do not feel safe in my own neighborhood anymore,” Allred said. “It’s terrifying because there’s a lot of older people that would just like to be in their homes and live out the rest of their life. I’ve actually considered moving.”

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From her front porch, Allred said she witnessed the aftermath of one of six homicides that took place over the weekend. Police found 20-year-old Amir Thomas-Clair shot inside a car. An autopsy report from the Lucas County Coroner’s Office ruled his death a homicide caused by a gunshot wound to the back.

Thomas-Clair’s death was the 19th homicide in Toledo this year. With two more homicides the day after, there have been 21 as of July 7. At this point last year, there had been 18 homicides. Nearly 29% of this year’s homicides occurred during this holiday weekend alone.

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Violence also erupted in central Toledo at Smith Park early Sunday morning. Police say a large party there spiraled out of control after reports of multiple people carrying guns.

Veeda Clark, who lives across from the park, said she’s not sure what can be done to reduce violence.

“I don’t know if you’re ever gonna be able to stop it,” Clark said.

A police report indicated officers used pepperballs on the ground around people fighting in an effort to break things up. No arrests were made.

Clark said the city’s gun violence problem won’t change as long as firearms remain easily accessible.

“We want to make sure that Toledo is as good as it can be, but there is no solution as long as there’s going to be guns,” she said. “Little kids have guns, they’re going to school with guns and all that. It is not going to change.”