Police said three teenagers have been arrested and a fourth remains sought.
DAYTON, Ohio — A 37-year-old father was shot and killed Sunday outside Main Mart on North Main Street while his teenage son was with him, his wife said.
Josh Fuller died after the shooting in the 2400 block of North Main Street. His wife, Crista Sawvell, said Fuller had left home with their youngest son shortly before the shooting. Dayton police later arrested three teenagers in the case, and court proceedings began Thursday.
Sawvell said the family had planned a simple Sunday outing before violence changed everything. She said she was getting ready while Fuller and their son went to the store. “We were about to take our son to the skate park,” Sawvell said. Less than five minutes after they left, she said, her son called and told her his father had been shot. The boy told her to get there quickly.
Sawvell said her son described a fast attack outside the store. She said Fuller had the boy walk ahead of him as they left because someone was standing on each side of the door. The teen heard a shot, his ears began ringing and he turned to see his father on the ground, she said. “He didn’t deserve it whatsoever,” Sawvell said. “I don’t understand. He should be here.”
Police and court records described the case as a homicide tied to an alleged robbery attempt. Officers were called to the store parking lot after 911 callers reported that a man had been shot. Fuller later died at a hospital, and homicide detectives took over the investigation. Officials have not said publicly what led up to the confrontation or whether Fuller knew any of the teenagers accused in the case.
Three teenagers have been arrested, and each faces a murder charge. A 17-year-old appeared Thursday in juvenile court, where Judge Helen Wallace said police believe he fired the shot that killed Fuller. Wallace said the teen was charged with four counts of murder, aggravated robbery and two counts of felonious assault. The judge ordered him held in the juvenile justice center until his next court appearance.
The shooting also drew attention from city leaders already discussing gun violence in Dayton neighborhoods. Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss had scheduled a neighborhood walk days after Fuller was killed, and community members near the store said youth violence has been a growing concern. Shae Franklin, who helps organize activities across from the store, said the goal is to keep young people busy and away from violence.
Sawvell said she wants the teenagers tried as adults. She said she plans to attend the next court hearing as the case moves forward. Police have said they are still searching for a fourth teenager believed to be connected to the shooting.
Author note: Last updated June 21, 2026.