August 15, 2009

Benjamin Gulley just needed a place to stay.

Dayton police said the man needed a temporary place to live while he looked for his own accommodations, so he moved in with a friend on Wilmington Avenue.

Soon after that move he was dead.

Police said Gulley was an innocent bystander, killed when three men broke into his friend's apartment to rob it, possibly of drugs.

"(Gulley) was not involved in any criminal activity, although there was probably criminal activity going on in that apartment," said Dayton police Sgt. Gary White.

Witnesses living in the apartment complex were stunned by the killing.

"About a quarter to 11 I heard a shot go off and about 14 minutes later cops were everywhere," said Jay Lazar. "It doesn't matter where, when, or how, anyone can be a target."

Police said they are very close to solving this case because three men bragged about the slaying, however they are still in need of evidence that can help them make an arrest.

"We just need that one phone call, that one person to come forward," said White. "We are so close on this one that we are just on the verge of taking this case to where we can prosecute it.

If you have any information on the crime contact Dayton police at 333-COPS or speak with Gary White directly at 333-1190.

May 4, 2009

Police said Raymond McDaniel was at a party on James H. McGee when he was killed in front of dozens of witnesses.

Initially officers thought he was the victim of a violent robbery, but now officers are not so sure.

"Actually, we still don't know the motive," said White.

The day of his death, family members had high hopes that police would find his killer.

"Somebody is going to come forward," said McDaniel's mother, Emma. "I know so because he wasn't a bad person."

Police, however, acknowledge McDaniel did have a criminal past.

"At the time he was killed, he was not committing any crimes, although Raymond McDaniel was connected and affiliated with gang activity," said White.

Regardless, police want to solve this case, as they do every single homicide. But, even though there were so many witnesses to his killing, no one has come forward to identify his killer.

"There is no doubt in our minds probably half of those people knew who the shooter was," said White.

On the day of McDaniel's funeral, police said Theron Lewis opened fire on mourning family members and friends, but no one was hurt. Lewis was soon arrested and is set to go on trial for that case. Police wonder if Lewis was connected to McDaniel's murder, but they need help from residents to find out for sure.

"We just need that, once again, the right person to come forward," said White.

If you have any information on this homicide contact Dayton police at 333-COPS or call Sgt. Gary White at 333-1190.

Previous Stories: December 30, 2009: Cold Case 2009: Public Killings December 29, 2009: Cold Case 2009: Arms And Drug Dealing December 28, 2009: Cold Case 2009: The Innocents