Authorities have apprehended three individuals in connection with a tragic drive-by shooting that claimed the life of a 9-year-old girl in Ohio. The suspects, identified as Demario Williams, Qasseem Dixon, and Ryan Brown, were arrested following an incident where approximately 30 rounds were fired into the victim’s home. The motive behind the shooting is believed to be retaliation over drug-related issues.
Demario Williams, 22, Qasseem Dixon, 25, and Ryan Brown, 27, have been taken into custody in relation to the death of 9-year-old Da’Myiah Barton-Pickens. The incident occurred in Silverton, near Cincinnati, when the three men allegedly opened fire on Barton-Pickens’ residence around 11:30 p.m. on Monday. The home was left riddled with bullet holes, with the young girl, an adult, and another child inside at the time of the shooting, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Hamilton County Sheriff Charmaine McGuffey stated that Dixon and Brown are believed to have driven to the victim’s home with the intention of robbing it as a form of retaliation against another individual involved in drug-related matters. Dixon was the first to be apprehended on Thursday, facing charges of aggravated murder and having weapons under disability. He is currently being held on a $2.5 million bond.
Brown turned himself in on the same day and has been charged with aggravated murder. Williams, who was later arrested, faces charges of carrying a concealed weapon and has pending traffic charges. Police allege that he attempted to assist Dixon and Brown in covering up the murder. Williams and Dixon were located together using drone technology and were apprehended after a brief pursuit, which resulted in an injury to another driver.
During a press conference, Sheriff McGuffey condemned the actions of the suspects, referring to them as “cowards.” She emphasized that all three individuals were involved in a drive-by shooting that unleashed 30 rounds into an innocent person’s home. Regardless of the motive, McGuffey stressed that such behavior is completely unacceptable.
A witness, Chris Pittman, described waking up to the sound of loud noises on the night of the incident and immediately recognizing them as gunshots. Pittman stated that the noise was unexpected for their quiet and friendly neighborhood, adding that it was not something they would typically hear or see on their street. The victim’s grandmother reportedly resided in the rental home, and Barton-Pickens and her sister frequently visited.