On July 13, 2019 at 1:30 a.m. a shooting occurred in the 100 block of South Prospect Street. This shooting was a continuation to a fight that had occurred at Gotham Bar located at 137 W. Center Street. Four or more shots were fired at an individual as he ran North on Prospect Street towards Center Street. No one was injured during this incident; however, property was damaged at a local business on W. Center.
On July 16, 2019 at 10:30 p.m. Marion Police responded to a report of shots fired in the 400 block of N. Prospect Street. Upon arrival, investigating officers found approximately 20 shots had been fired at and into a nearby residence. No one was injured during this event.
An intense investigation was already underway regarding the first shooting and continued through the second. With the help of video from inside the bar as well as video along Prospect Street and tips from the community, a single suspect was developed in both shootings.
On July 17, 2019 during the early morning hours, numerous officers from the Marion Police Department converged at a residence located in the 700 block of S. Prospect Street in an attempt to locate this armed suspect. A tip was received that the person sought may be at this location. Entry was made into the residence and the suspect was taken into custody without incident.
Suspect, Ernest J. Pope was arrested and is currently being held at the Multi County Correctional Facility on a Parole Violation and formal charges for both shootings are pending with the Marion County Prosecutors Office. A second person was also arrested at this location for Obstructing Justice.
Arrested were:
Ernest J. Pope Sylvester Green
1501 Monroe St. Detroit, Michigan
Toledo, Ohio DOB 06/06/1993
DOB 10/07/84 Charged with Obstructing Justice
Marion Police Chief Bill Collins stated, “This is just another example of the hard work of the men and woman of the Marion Police Department and the ideology of our MPACT Program of the Marion Police and the Community working together to put these violent individuals behind bars.” He is further hopeful that the trend of swift and harsh punishment by local judges towards those that commit these violent crimes and use guns in our community continues as the word is getting out! This is sure to make our community a safer community for all our citizens.