Murder trial set for man charged in Youngstown teen's death

Ashaud Johnson to stand trial in June for the February shooting of 17-year-old Da'Mar McKinney

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:05pm

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An extreme close-up of a single spent shell casing on a dark, textured surface, creating a stark, investigative visual metaphor for the tragic shooting.A grim reminder of the gun violence that continues to impact young lives in the Youngstown community.Warren Today

A trial date has been set for Ashaud Johnson, one of two defendants charged in the murder of a 17-year-old Youngstown teenager. Johnson is scheduled to stand trial on June 8 and is facing charges of aggravated murder, tampering with evidence, and receiving stolen property in connection with the deadly shooting of Da'Mar McKinney in the parking lot of a Warren apartment complex in February.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and youth crime in the Youngstown area, which has seen a rise in homicides in recent years. The trial will bring attention to the details of the incident and the legal process for prosecuting alleged perpetrators of violent crimes involving minors.

The details

Investigators say McKinney was shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex on Mahoning Avenue in Warren. Johnson is due back in court on May 5 for a pretrial hearing before the scheduled start of his trial on June 8.

  • The shooting incident occurred in February 2026.
  • Johnson is scheduled to stand trial on June 8, 2026.
  • Johnson is due back in court on May 5, 2026 for a pretrial hearing.

The players

Ashaud Johnson

One of two defendants charged in the murder of 17-year-old Da'Mar McKinney, Johnson is scheduled to stand trial on June 8 on charges of aggravated murder, tampering with evidence, and receiving stolen property.

Da'Mar McKinney

A 17-year-old Youngstown teenager who was fatally shot in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Warren in February 2026.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on May 5 whether to allow the case against Johnson to proceed to trial on June 8 as scheduled.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the ongoing challenge of youth violence and gun crime in the Youngstown area, and the importance of the legal system in holding alleged perpetrators accountable while also addressing the root causes of such violence in the community.