Akron police find suspect vehicle in deaths of Journei Tolbert, Johnny Gaiter
Akron police Lt. Michael Miller said Sunday that detectives have recovered the SUV that investigators believe was used by shooters in the July 8 killing of 4-year-old Journei Ny'Kole Elizabeth Tolbert and Johnny Gaiter, 40.
Police posted new images of the dark-colored SUV with visible damage to the driver's side door last week on the department's Facebook page. The vehicle was recovered Saturday afternoon in the 400 block of Magnolia Avenue in Cuyahoga Falls, at a home on the residential street behind the Howe Avenue shopping plaza with Home Depot and Five Below.
Miller said a tip led detectives to the Cuyahoga Falls residence. No arrests had been made as of Sunday afternoon. The double homicide remains under investigation.
Around 9:15 p.m. July 8, police investigators say, three people fired into a crowd of about 125 adults and children gathered in the parking lot of an apartment complex at 767 Boulevard St. near the intersection of West Thornton and Princeton streets just south of downtown. The gathering was assembled to remember the birthday of Imani Tolbert, who was shot and killed in March 2021.
Police say the shooters fled in the SUV.
Anyone with more information is asked to contact Akron Police Detective J. Smith at 330-375-2490. Tips, which can remain anonymous, may also be forwarded to the APD Tip Line at 330-375-2TIP or Summit County Crimestoppers Inc. at 330-434-COPS (2677) or texted to 274637 (CRIMES). Summit County Crimestoppers is offering a reward up to $5,000 for information that solves the deadly shooting.
Journei Tolbert is the niece of Jaymeisha Beasley, who was engaged to Jayland Walker, the man shot and killed by police June 27. Beasley was killed in a vehicle accident outside Cincinnati in May.
Reach Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Police find vehicle suspected in shooting deaths of Journei Tolbert, Johnny Gaiter
