MIDDLETOWN, Ohio -- A years-old gang rivalry led to a Thursday morning shootout on Roosevelt Boulevard, Middletown police announced in a news release. All three known participants, including one man who was injured, will face charges.
"This is part of an ongoing problem involving gangs in Middletown," Lt. Scott Reeve wrote.
According to the release, Middletown police began receiving reports of multiple shots fired at 8:39 a.m. When officers arrived, they discovered Christopher Lewis shot multiple times and found two young men, one of them 18-year-old Keyron Finch, who had attempted to flee on foot.
Officers who searched the house also found fentanyl, weapons and a shirt expressing support for another gang member who was shot to death.
"We are receiving a lot of information, much of which we cannot share at this time, but what is clear is that we have rival gangs with a feud that has been going on for years," Reeve wrote.
Finch and Hutchison both stand charged with tampering with evidence; Lewis will face weapon and drug charges when he leaves the hospital. According to Reeve, Middletown police expect to file more charges in the near future.
"The Middletown Division of Police is committed to bringing an end to this cycle and will be investigating the 'victims' and perpetrators alike in these situations," he wrote.
Police encouraged anyone with information about the incident to call 513-425-7786.
