Stampede followed shooting at Ohio frat party, say witnesses

Stampede followed shooting at Ohio frat party, say witnesses

Those attending an Ohio fraternity party Sunday ran for cover after multiple shots rang out, resulting in a massive stampede, witnesses told authorities who continue to investigate the tragedy.

One Youngstown State University student, Jamail Johnson, 25, was shot to death, while 11 other people were injured -- including a 17-year-old girl who remains in critical condition. Johnson was shot once in the head and several times in the hips and legs, according to Dr. Joseph Ohr, with the coroner’s office.

Reports indicate that Johnson was trying to stop an altercation between two groups of people at an Omega Psi Phi fraternity party, which ultimately cost him his life.

City Prosecutor Jay Jacejko said witnesses told him when the gunfire began, “...it was practically a stampede atmosphere…”

Braylon L. Rogers, 19, and Columbus E. Jones Jr., 22, were charged with aggravated murder, 11 counts of felonious assault, and shooting into a house, according to Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes. He noted that neither man was a student nor were they members of Omega Psi Phi.

The suspected gunmen were slated to be arraigned Monday, however, authorities wanted additional time to investigate the rampages. Thus, each will appear in court Tuesday. Hughes said that the charges against them may be adjusted.

Christopher Cooper, a legal officer with Omega Psi Phi told the Associated Press that Johnson “was just an excellent, excellent young man, and our loss runs deep.”

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