Damarcus Payton

In the early hours of August 9, 2020, Damarcus Payton, a 27-year-old Black man, was shot and killed in Cincinnati, Ohio. The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. on W. McMillan Street near the University of Cincinnati campus, in an area where a large crowd had gathered. Two other people, one male and one female, were also shot during the incident. All three victims were transported to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where Mr. Payton died from his injuries shortly after arrival. The other two victims survived with non-life-threatening injuries.

According to court documents, the shooting followed a confrontation. A group of suspects reportedly drove to W. McMillan Street to confront Mr. Payton and his girlfriend. A verbal altercation escalated, and one of the suspects drew a handgun and began shooting into the crowd, striking the three victims. The Cincinnati Police Department’s Homicide Unit immediately began an investigation.

The day after the shooting, on August 10, 2020, police arrested 40-year-old Barry Ellery. He was charged with complicity to commit murder, with authorities alleging he had aided two other suspects who were not yet identified. However, the charges against Ellery were later dropped.

In January 2021, investigators arrested a second man, Bryan Jones, in connection with the case. Jones was indicted on charges of murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, and weapons charges for the shooting that killed Damarcus Payton and injured two others. The motive for the shooting was not disclosed in court documents.

Bryan Jones was ultimately convicted for the murder of Damarcus Payton and the wounding of the two other victims. In May 2025, he was sentenced to serve 37.5 years to life in prison. He was also ordered to pay nearly $10,000 in restitution and was given credit for the 1,587 days he had already served while awaiting trial. With this conviction and sentencing, the case is considered solved.