In the early morning hours of September 12, 2020, a single gunshot at a residence in Venedocia ended the life of 19-year-old George McLaurine of Lima, Ohio. Deputies from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office arrived after a 911 call just before 1 a.m. and found McLaurine unconscious and not breathing in the yard; bystanders had begun CPR and life-saving efforts continued until paramedics transported him to Mercy Health–St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, where he was pronounced dead.

Investigators identified a suspect quickly and arrested 23-year-old Trey M. Jones of Spencerville. Jones was initially charged with reckless homicide and later indicted on counts that included reckless homicide with a firearm specification, using a weapon while intoxicated, and improperly handling a firearm in a motor vehicle. He pleaded not guilty and bond was set at $500,000.

Court proceedings concluded in May 2021 with Jones sentenced to 18 months for improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and attempted reckless homicide. Does anyone with information about George, the events that night, or who saw activity in Venedocia on September 12, 2020, have details to share?