Officers were in the area of West Pleasant and South Yellow Springs streets when they heard a single gunshot about 3 a.m. Monday, according to a police report.
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Officers were then told a man had been shot in the 400 block of West Mulberry Street and a light-colored, four-door car had left. Several officers noticed a white, Dodge Neon speeding away and it was stopped. An unidentified man stopped the vehicle, stepped out and said he needed help for his friend.
“He received a gunshot wound to the chest and basically died from his injuries,” said Lt. Jeffrey Meyer with the Springfield Police Division. “All we know is that some words were exchanged with another individual but as of this time we don’t know if it was an argument that escalated or what transpired.”
Etherington’s family is devastated by his death, family member Courtney Litteral said. He was a fun-loving person and every loved him. He was a business management student at Clark State Community College.
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Etherington was being robbed at the time of the shooting, Litteral believes, possibly of his tuition money. Springfield Police couldn’t confirm or deny that information and said they’ll investigate it.
Springfield resident Derrick White was shocked the shooting happened in his neighborhood. He’s lived in the area since the late 1980s. He learned about the death from his wife early Monday morning.
“I feel very uncomfortable because this is supposed to be the place you lay your head at,” White said. “When you have that type of random violence right outside of your backyard, that’s something then people should take notice to.”
He believes the younger generation needs to re-evaluate how they confront situations.
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“This generation needs to find other ways to settle their disputes rather than to take out the initiative to take another life,” White said.
He wants to see change.
“Springfield, Dayton and surrounding areas, let’s find another way, let’s find another way to deal with our problems,” White said.
Anyone with any information about the shooting is asked to contact Springfield Police at 937-324-7685 or 937-328-3434.
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