AKRON, Ohio — Ohio authorities arrested three men Saturday morning in connection with the June 2 beating death of 17-year-old Ethan Liming at the I Promise school in Akron.
According to a news release, the U.S. Marshals Service’s Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force arrested Deshawn Stafford Jr., 20, Tyler Stafford, 19, and Donovan Jones, 21, all of Akron, the Akron Beacon Journal reported.
Bond for each suspect was set at $1 million Monday, the newspaper reported.
>> Related: Ohio teen beaten to death near Akron school, police say
According to police, Liming was with a group of friends who pulled into the parking lot of the school, WJW-TV reported. Shortly after arriving, Liming and his friends became involved in a fight with at least three other males who were playing basketball at the property, according to the television station.
The fight began after members of Liming’s group apparently shot toy water gel guns at four people playing basketball on the school’s courts, police confirmed to the Beacon Journal.
Lining was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 11 p.m. EDT.
According to police, Liming’s injuries “would suggest that there was a prolonged, intentional intent to assault him,” WEWS-TV reported.
All three suspects are facing murder and felonious assault charges, while Jones is also facing a disrupting public service charge, the TV station reported.
Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan issued the following statement regarding the arrests:
“Ethan’s senseless and tragic death has touched every person in our community. These arrests would not have been possible without the dedication of our Akron Police Department and their collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force. They have worked around the clock on this case, and I thank them for their tireless efforts. My thoughts and prayers remain with the entire Liming family at this time.”
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