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Father Killed Shortly Before He Was Due To Testify As Key Witness In Infant Son’s Murder
Aaron Lucas was the key witness in the murder trial of a man accused of shooting his 1-year-old twins last year.
A father has been killed days before he was due to testify as a key witness in the murder trial of a man accused of shooting his infant twin sons, according to police.
Aaron Lucas, 29, was shot multiple times Sunday at around 7:54 p.m., according to Cleveland 19 News. He was found in a driveway of a home near a vehicle and taken to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police have since identified Nichalous Dimitri Harvey, 37, as a suspect in Lucas’s death and have issued a warrant for his arrest, said Canton Police Chief Jack Angelo, according to The Repository. Harvey is suspected of shooting Lucas in the face, neck, and torso.
“He was lying in a driveway next to a vehicle,” said police Capt. Dave Davis, according to The Repository.
Canton Police and agents from the FBI Safe Streets Task Force say the shooting came after Lucas and Harvey engaged in an argument, according to Cleveland 19.
Harvey allegedly pulled out a gun after things “escalated,” according to Cleveland’s ABC News 5. Police believe Harvey shot Lucas and ran off.
An arrest warrant has since been issued.
Aaron Lucas was due to testify on Tuesday in the murder trial of Trejuan Johnson, according to Cleveland 19. Johnson stands accused of shooting Lucas’s 1-year-old identical twin sons on July 22, 2020.
Ace Lucas died after a bullet entered his head.
ArCel Lucas was shot in the leg but survived.
Ace and ArCel were sleeping on the couch on when three suspects fired bullets into the home, according to an appeal for information from the FBI. Agents believe that one or more of the suspects could have been from the Chicago area.
Canton Police released a video of the deadly 2020 shooting, as published by The Repository.
Federal agents arrested Trejuan Johnson, 23, on Nov. 30, following a 21-count indictment, according to The Repository. Charges included two counts of murder, seven counts of felonious assault, and gun-related charges.
Johnson was already incarcerated when charged with the felonies, according to a motion filed by the state of Ohio.
Two other suspects in the 1-year-old’s murder remain unidentified.
It is unclear whether or not Aaron Lucas’s murder on Sunday is related to the murder trial of Trejuan Johnson.
Jury selection was due to begin on Tuesday, with neither the state nor the defense commenting on the death of the twins’ father, Aaron Lucas, according to The Repository.
Lucas' unavailability was “pertinent for the jury to hear in order to make a decision,” according to the court motion. Records stated that Lucas had information “that only he could provide in this trial.”
Johnson’s lawyer, Aaron Kovalchik, could not be reached for comment.
A judge rescheduled the next court date for Sept. 27, 2021, according to the motion.
Police are asking anyone with information about Harvey’s whereabouts to contact them at 330-489-3144. He is considered armed and dangerous.
