Dameon Jermaine Bates, 29, was killed by a gunshot wound to the head and pronounced dead at the scene in the 3500 block of North Erie Street in Toledo on November 28, 2021. The Lucas County Coroner ruled the death a homicide.

Police arrested 30-year-old Mychal Smith at the scene and charged him with reckless homicide. Officers say Smith and Bates had been horsing around with a gun during a party when the weapon discharged and struck Bates in the head. Smith was booked into the Lucas County Corrections Center with bond set at $250,000; a preliminary hearing was scheduled for December 7, 2021.

Bates’ death was reported as the 66th homicide in Toledo for 2021. If anyone at the party or who knew Bates or Smith has information that could clarify what happened that night, please come forward.