TOLEDO, Ohio — A key figure in Toledo's fight to stop gun violence is no longer employed by the city.
WTOL 11 has learned that Angel Tucker had his position terminated after serving in it for a little over one year with the city. He will remain on paid administrative leave through May 5, but will not be working.
According to a city spokeswoman, Tucker's annual salary is $124,250.
According to a City of Toledo spokesperson, the choice to remove Tucker was part of a re-organization of the Safety Department.
The move does not affect the current Safety Director, Brian Byrd.
Tucker, a former Oregon police officer, was brought on at the same time as Byrd in February 2022. He has been instrumental in keeping the city’s violence interrupter program up and running.
The interrupter program was part of Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz's Initiative to Reduce Gun Violence.
Tucker was particularly interested in the systemic issues that have led to the violence in the city.
The city continues to deal with an elevated rate of homicides in the city compared to years past, especially amongst young people.
Since December there have 5 teenagers killed in the city.
In 2022, there were 64 homicides in the city, down from 70 in 2021.
The city is facing pressure to do something about violence in the city from citizens and outside groups.
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