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Victim in Aug. 26 shooting succumbs to injuries; coroner rules death homicide

According to the Lucas County Coroner's Office, the victim remained in a vegetative state after he was shot in August.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Editor's note: The following story has been updated to include new information made available by Toledo police. 

The Lucas County Coroner's Office has ruled the death of a 33-year-old man a homicide after he died Sunday of an injury sustained in a central Toledo shooting. 

According to a Toledo police report, crews responded to the 800 block of Norwood Avenue on Aug. 26 at approximately 4:40 a.m. after receiving a ShotSpotter Alert. Police then received a call for disorder and went to the intersection of Norwood and Wells, where they spoke with two witnesses. 

According to police, a witness said he saw a person under a black Chrysler 200 who was bleeding. The witness and several other people lifted the car off the victim, who was later identified as 33-year-old Christopher Bates. They helped Bates get into a car, then said they saw the vehicle travel eastbound on Oakwood toward downtown. 

Police spoke with another witness and learned Bates had been shot and subsequently investigated the scene. 

According to a press release from the coroner's office issued Tuesday, Bates was shot in the neck, after which he remained in a vegetative state and developed multiple complications. He ultimately died due to the injury Sunday morning at Ayden Healthcare of Waterville. 

Officials did not disclose if a suspect had been arrested in the case or if there are any known suspects. Toledo police described the homicide as "unsolved" and provided the following photo of Bates in a social media post requesting information from the public. 

Credit: Toledo Police Department
Christopher Bates (pictured) was shot on Aug. 26 and died of his injuries on Nov. 12. Police are searching for information regarding his homicide.

RELATED: Windows shattered by gunfire at Dave & Buster's; shooting under investigation, Toledo police say

The office ruled Bates' death a homicide Monday. His death is the 33rd homicide in Toledo in 2023. On Nov. 14, 2022, there were 59 homicides. 

If you have information regarding this incident, police ask that you call or text Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111. You can remain anonymous. 

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