YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - The man accused of murdering eight-year-old Bryce Linebaugh as he slept, could now face the death penalty if convicted of the crime.
A Mahoning County Grand Jury indicted 21-year-old Shawn R. Wilson on Thursday on numerous felony charges including aggravated murder, felonious assault, two counts of improper discharge of a firearm into a habitation, and tampering with evidence.
It was last Monday, August 20th during the early morning hours when Youngstown police detectives say Wilson was embroiled in an argument with a female friend, left the scene and returned with an assault weapon and opened fire on the Maplewood Court apartment building.
Eight-year-old Bryce Linebaugh was shot in the head as he slept when bullets from the assault rifle penetrated the walls and windows of his second floor bedroom. The victim's four-year-old brother who was sleeping on the bottom bunk was injured by shards of flying glass.
Police found the suspected murder weapon, along with a shot gun wrapped in a blanket, in the woods behind the east side home of the suspect's grandmother. His car allegedly used in the shooting was found in the garage of the same home. YPD Crime Lab detectives believe Wilson washed the vehicle after the crime, allegedly to dispose of any further evidence.
Mahoning County Prosecutor Paul Gains says this is another disturbing and tragic case where a young man armed with a gun and acting out in anger has resulted in another senseless crime, and so much pain for the victim's family and community.
"Columbus Jones (the man found guilty of murdering a YSU student) was sentenced to 92 1/2 years to life because he got angry and decided to light up a party. The evidence indicates that Mr. Wilson got angry and decided to light up a house resulting in the tragic death of an eight-year-old. I can only pray that these young people realize that they have to control their anger. They should learn to walk away," Gains said.
Wilson was on probation for improper handling of a firearm when the little boy was murdered.
His bond at his initial court appearance was set at $5-million by Youngstown Municipal Court Judge Elizabeth Kobly.
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