Warren Shooting: Two Face Federal Gun Charges

WARREN, OH – A late-night dice game turned deadly at the Convenient Food Mart in Warren, Ohio, on August 3rd, leaving one man dead and another injured. Now, two Trumbull County residents are facing serious federal firearms charges in connection with the shooting, according to a statement released today by the Department of Justice.

Jumal Ellis Rowe, 32, of Warren, has been charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm. Court records reveal a troubled past for Rowe, including previous convictions for trafficking and possession of cocaine. Also charged is Rayjon Ray Mcelroy, 25, also of Warren, accused of possession of ammunition by a person previously convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Both men were identified through surveillance footage.

The Warren Police Department and the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene around 5 a.m., finding chaos in the parking lot. Investigators pieced together the events from the store’s video surveillance, which showed a group loitering and gambling before a fight erupted. The dispute quickly escalated into a full-blown shooting, involving multiple individuals. The footage allegedly shows Mcelroy brandishing a Kel-Tec Sub 2000, 5.7 caliber folding firearm as the conflict began, while Rowe is seen firing a Glock, Model 23Gen4, .40 caliber, semi-automatic pistol from between parked cars.

Federal prosecutors are building their case on the clear evidence captured in the surveillance video. If convicted, both Rowe and Mcelroy face a stiff penalty: up to 15 years in federal prison. U.S. Attorney David M. Toepfer for the Northern District of Ohio, Acting Special Agent in Charge John Smerglia of the ATF Cleveland Field Office, and Warren Police Chief Eric J. Merkel jointly announced the charges, emphasizing the commitment to tackling gun violence in the region.

While the charges represent a significant step forward, officials cautioned that the sentencing will be determined by the court, taking into account each defendant’s criminal history, their specific role in the shooting, and the details of the offense. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Youngstown Satellite Office, alongside the Warren Police Department and the Trumbull County Sheriff’s Office, conducted the ongoing investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Yasmine Makridis is prosecuting the case. It’s crucial to remember that a criminal complaint is merely an accusation, and both Rowe and Mcelroy are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Anyone with information regarding the shooting is urged to contact the Warren Police Department at 330-841-2658. The investigation remains active and authorities are seeking further leads.