MARION, OH (MARION COUNTY NOW)—Three men are facing charges after a drug-related robbery attempt escalated into a significant exchange of gunfire and a high-speed vehicle pursuit Sunday evening, Marion police said.
Officers responded to multiple reports of shots fired in the 500 block of Clinton Street at approximately 6:20 p.m. on Feb. 22. Upon arrival, police discovered evidence of a shootout in the roadway and observed a vehicle fleeing the scene at a high rate of speed.
A subsequent vehicle pursuit ended when the suspects crashed on Campbell Road near the railroad tracks. Two suspects attempted to flee the wreckage on foot; one was apprehended by Police K9 Shanel, while a second was caught after a brief chase. A third suspect was found inside the vehicle with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Investigators believe the occupants of the vehicle traveled to Marion to rob another party during a drug transaction. The encounter devolved into a shootout involving approximately six individuals.
As of Monday, investigators have recovered four firearms and executed 11 search warrants.
Trevon Scales, 19, of Mount Gilead, and Michael Miller, 17, of Marion, were arrested and charged with aggravated robbery. The third occupant, Kayden Mendoza, 20, of Marengo, was transported to a Columbus-area hospital for treatment of his injuries.
The investigation remains active. Authorities stated that additional charges against other participants are expected as they work to identify the remaining individuals involved in the initial shooting.