Suspected murder weapon found in 8-year-old boy's murder - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The evidence appears to be mounting against the man suspected of firing an assault weapon in to the Rockford Village housing projects and killing eight-year-old Bryce Linebaugh as he slept in a second floor bedroom.

Youngstown police detectives believe they've recovered the AK-47 style assault weapon responsible for killing the child, as well as the suspect's distinctive looking car that sources say was described by witnesses.

The second grader was murdered early Monday morning after a bullet from the assault weapon penetrated his home, striking him in the head, and killing him as he slept in his bed.

A senseless act of gun violence and retaliation intended for someone else according to police.

Amber Finney, a life-long friend of the victim's mother tells 21 News, "It wasn't even their house that they were pointing at. They were trying to get the neighbors house, so again, an innocent baby dies for no reason."

Detectives believe the suspect, 21-year-old Shawn Wilson, got in to an argument at a party with someone unrelated to the victim's family just prior to the shooting and came to the Rockford Village housing projects to get even.

Youngstown Police Chief Rod Foley says, "It appears the suspect may have felt disrespected by what was said about him at the party. Looks like he came back and retaliated against the individual who said it and who lived nearby where the victim was shot and killed."

Authorities say Wilson is expected to be officially charged with aggravated murder on Wednesday. That's when he will appear in court by video arraignment to answer before a Judge.

Detectives have now recovered what they believe is the potential murder weapon from a wooded area near the suspect's grandmother's home.

"So we had a search party out there with about a dozen officers and within about 10 minutes we did find the potential murder weapon and another unrelated firearm, a shotgun wrapped in a blanket near the home where the suspect turned himself in," Chief Foley says.

The AK-47 style assault weapon was found near a walking path in a wooded area near the home on Browning Avenue on the east side of Youngstown.

Wilson's car was also found in the garage of the same home.

Chief Foley says the Crime Lab is working to see if there's any forensic evidence left behind, but they believe the car may have been recently washed.

As a family and a community mourn the loss of a little boy who loved football and his family, Youngstown police have been building a case against the suspected triggerman, and consulting with prosecutors, working to get justice for Bryce and his family.

Chief Foley says, "We didn't pull the trigger any faster than it was needed, but we also thought it was necessary to get him (Wilson) off the street before evidence could disappear, and alibis could be developed."

Funeral arrangements have been made for Bryce Linebaugh. Calling hours will be held at the Lane Funeral Home in Mineral Ridge from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Thursday and at 11:00 a.m. on Friday. A funeral service will follow at noon at the Leavittsburg Church of God.

Family and friends are asking for help paying the expenses of the funeral and to help the family move to another neighborhood. Donations can be made to the Bryce Linebaugh Memorial Fund at any Huntington Bank Branch.

A candlelight vigil is also scheduled to remember Bryce. A representative for the family tells 21 News it will be held this Thursday at 9:00 p.m. on Maplewood Court at the Rockford Village housing projects in front of the east side apartment where the shooting happened.