Steven Marquese Smith, 41, was found dead from gunshot wounds in the backyard of a home on the 1000 block of Reese Avenue in Lima, Ohio, on July 16, 2023. Officers responding to a report of a man down discovered his body.

Investigators quickly identified two suspects: 42-year-old Latoya McClellan and her son, Donya Perkins, then 17. McClellan was arrested on suspicion of tampering with evidence; Perkins was initially held on delinquency by murder. An Allen County grand jury later indicted Perkins, after he turned 18, on two counts of murder and multiple related charges including felonious assault, discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises, tampering with evidence, and carrying a concealed weapon, with two counts carrying firearm specifications. McClellan was sentenced in March 2024 to 18 months for hiding the firearm allegedly used in the shooting.

Born May 9, 1982, in Lima, Steven worked at Rudolph’s Foods and was a member of Grace Life Church. He is survived by his parents Steven F. and Verna Wash; four children, Jamar O’Neal, Nylan Smith, Nijaea Amerson, and Ajanae Cotton; a sister, Lacelia Smith; and a brother, Jireh Wash. He was preceded in death by a son, Tir’ Yuian Ti’ly Smith.

Did anyone in the community see or hear anything in the Reese Avenue area on the night of July 16, 2023?