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Toledo neighbors react to two homicides in same weekend

People living in one west Toledo neighborhood are tired of the killings and said guns should be used for protection, not to commit violence.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo police are investigating two homicides that occurred over the weekend. One of them occurred in west Toledo, where neighbors said this isn't the first time gun violence has been a problem. 

Sunday's shooting killed 27-year-old Loyal Wyse-Campbell, who died after he was shot in the 1800 block of West Sylvania Avenue around 3 a.m.

Neighbors told WTOL 11 the area has been dealing with gun violence for at least a year now. It's not something they said they want to see more of. 

"I'm a Second Amendment advocate. So safe, healthy gun use is one thing. But going out and shooting people like they did last night, that's just not... that's not what it's for. It's for protection, not for murder," said a neighbor who lives close to where the shooting occurred, who did not want to be identified.

People living in the neighborhood near Hearthstone Place said they are tired of the violence. 

"The last year -- we've seen an exponential increase," said a neighbor. 

They also said violence and trouble in their neighborhood have become common, describing it as a schedule. They said most of it occurs between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2:30 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. 

The violence has left residents in the neighborhood worried about those closest to them. 

“We're just concerned about this neighborhood and the safety of our kids,” the neighbor said.

Since Wyse-Campbell's death, WTOL 11 has reached out to some of his friends on Facebook. They described him as a great, genuine person who loved his family. They said his smile could light up a room. 

But in light of his death, neighbors said the violence in the area has ceased to faze them. 

"We were sitting out on the porch one night and we heard three gunshots. And kid you not, we were looking down at the corner to see where it came from. And not one person there even flinched,” said another neighbor who also did not want to be identified.

The neighbor continued, saying safety is a big concern.

"It takes a village to raise a child. And it looks like around this area, with the type of people going in and out of O'Shea's that there are going to be more people burying their children and raising them. Yeah, it's a problem. And gun violence is a problem."

Wyse-Campbell's homicide is still under investigation by the Toledo Police Department.

According to a Toledo police press conference on Oct. 9, the city has seen 27 homicides thus far this year. Wyse-Campbell's death, as well as Rashad Ewing, who was shot and killed in north Toledo Friday, bring the total to 29. 

If you have any information regarding the shooting, Call Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct information about the locations of the weekend's homicides, as well as the total number of them this year. 

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