Youngstown man sentenced to life in prison for deadly South Avenue Shell station shooting
YOUNGSTOWN A Youngstown man involved in a deadly shooting at a gas station on the city’s South Side has learned his fate Thursday afternoon.
Akeem Hargrove, 32, was sentenced to life in prison without the chance of parole plus six years aggravated murder and murder, both with firearm specifications, for the December 2022 shooting death of Devin Bell, 26.
Hargrove was found guilty of these charges back in August of 2025.
Hargrove was arrested days after Bell's death. According to court documents and previous news reports, Bell was found shot in a Chevrolet Cruz at a gas station on South Avenue and Samuel Avenue. Police said two masked men fled the scene on foot.
A second suspect, Zachary Bair, was also charged in the case, but court records indicate he was offered a plea agreement to testify against Hargrove. Bair pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is expected to receive a 10 to 13-year prison term when he is sentenced on Tuesday.
Prosecutors said in a sentencing memorandum that Bell was shot multiple times in what they described as an ambush. The state has recommended a sentence of 25 to 30 years to life for Hargrove, along with an additional six years for firearm specifications.
Hargrove’s sentencing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. before Judge Anthony M. D'Apolito.
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