YOUNGSTOWN - Just weeks away from the May Primary and the Democratic run for Youngstown Mayor is heating up.

Current Councilman and candidate for Mayor Julius Oliver is dispelling rumors that he was witness to a deadly shooting at the Utopia Nightclub this past weekend and then refused to cooperate with the police.

Councilman Oliver is pointing to the political game and questioning the motives behind the information he says isn't true.

Oliver said he was at the nightclub but only for about a half-hour when the event started with intention of setting up a voter registration booth. But, Oliver said the environment for the booth wasn't right. He said he left before the murder took place.

"I told the police that I was gone already. I didn't see anything. I didn't know anything because I wasn't there," said Oliver. "They did ask me to come in and check out some pictures and I was going to go in but, I got busy that day and had to go meet with some other clients, and never went in. But I don't think it would have been beneficial for me to go in anyway because like I said I didn't see anything. I wasn't there."

"I think it's horrible that somebody would put this information out and try to politicize a tragedy when you've got families out there hurting, you've got families that need answers and then you're trying to turn this into a political thing and focus it on me. Well, I think that's shame on you," said Oliver.

Oliver admits he does not have proof of where the misinformation is coming from, but questions who else could be behind it.

Candidate for Mayor Ryan Kelly "vehemently" denies that any rumors of Oliver's whereabouts originated from his campaign. Kelly said he was not aware of the rumors and that he is "not playing the dirty politics game." In a statement, Kelly said, "My brother, father, and anyone else I have a relationship with at the YPD is worrying about preventing further loss of life not giving me stories. "

21 News also reached out to Police Chief Carl Davis and detectives handling the shooting. We have not yet heard back.

No arrests in shooting have been made in the shooting.  

Anyone with information is asked to call 330-746-CLUE or 330-742-8YPD to leave a tip.

Those with information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the suspect will be eligible for a cash reward.

A full statement from Kelly can be read below:

"I just want to be absolutely clear there was somebody that lost their life and my prayers go out to the family, that's first and foremost. Secondly, I'm driven by solutions not rumors. People everywhere in the city just want to be safe going to the store or know their kids can go outside and play without fearing for the lives. That shouldn't be a political request that should be the standard anything beyond that needs to change TODAY. A young life was lost and seeing mothers crying on TV needs to end.

My brother, father, and anyone else I have a relationship with at the YPD is worrying about preventing further loss of life not giving me stories.

Again life was lost and the people in the Youngstown Police Department need all the support they can to make sure we prevent things like this from happening in the future."