Two suspects arrested in connection with a shooting that claimed the life of a juvenile in Warren late Wednesday will remain jailed without bond for now.

During Friday's video arraignment in Warren Municipal Court, Ashaud Johnson and Willis Smith, both 18, each pleaded "not guilty" to a murder charge. 

Judge Natasha Natale found that both teens posed a flight risk and a "substantial risk of serious physical harm to any person in the community" and denied bond for the suspects.

According to the Warren Police Department, the gunshot wound victim is a juvenile male. Police have not revealed the age of the victim at this time. 

As of early Friday, the Trumbull County Coroner was conducting an autopsy on the victim.

The shooting happened at an apartment on the 1300 block of Mahoning Avenue NW just after 11 p.m. on Wednesday. Police say they found the juvenile victim with a gunshot wound in the parking lot.

The juvenile was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead just before 7:30 Thursday morning. The coroner will conduct an autopsy on Friday.

“It’s almost like they have no moral compass, they're lost,” Warren Councilwoman Tina Milner said about children involved in any gun violence. “These kids aren't even getting a chance to live life and then they're entering into adult roles because it looks glamorous or someone's pressuring them. They're taking on so much more than they're able to even handle at this age.”

The newly elected councilwoman looks to address the city's long history of youth gun violence with legislation similar to what the City of Lorian just passed which includes increasing penalties and holding parents liable if their children are involved in gun violence. 

“Just for us to look at, maybe adopt some of it not all of it so we can move forward progressively and hopefully before another incident like this occurs,” Milner said. 

 

This is a developing story. Stay connected online for updates as they become available.