Second suspect charged after fatal R Bar shooting

May 23-- May 23--CANTON The man accused of fatally shooting a man outside a troubled bar wasn't the only one firing a gun that night.

A second suspect has been charged following the May 12 fatal shooting at R Bar & Grill at 1117 Wertz Ave. NW, court records show.

Police and FBI Safe Streets Task Force agents arrested a wanted gang member on parole after finding him in an Akron home Wednesday afternoon.

Antonio L. Wallace, 27, of 4215 Orchardale Ave. NW in Plain Township, was sought on warrants charging him participating in a criminal street gang, felonious assault, having weapons under disability, illegal possession of a firearm in a liquor premises and discharge of a firearm on or near a prohibited premises, Stark County Jail records show.

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction records show Wallace has been listed a "violator-at-large" by the state prison system. He had been released on parole after serving time for participating in a criminal gang in 2014.

According to a Canton Repository article dated Oct. 24, 2014, he was one of four men involved in a gang-related shooting at Walther's Cafe, 1836 Maple Ave. NE.

Court documents show that as recently May 12, he is an active member of the Shorb Blocc gang and that he "engages, promotes and assists criminal conduct."

The documents from the same case show that he was seen in person and on surveillance video at and outside of the R Bar & Grill, firing a several rounds from a semi-automatic handgun outside the bar. One victim was listed as Tavist D. Chester. The other victim listed in court paperwork was Nigel Jackson, who was killed outside the bar around 12:40 a.m.

Lt. Dennis Garren, police spokesman, said detectives believe Wallace was shooting at Chester.

Police and bar personnel say both men had been involved in a fight inside the bar and that Chester shot Jackson to death outside. Chester remains in Stark County Jail, held in lieu of $1 million bond on a murder charge.

Although police believe Wallace was shooting, too, he has not been charged with Jackson's death. He remained in jail Thursday, too, held without bond.

The shooting at the bar is the latest in a string of incidents that have drawn police, and have called into question the bar's intentions to close and move across town.

Bar owner Robert Blakely Jr. had applied with the Ohio Liquor Control Commission in February for a transfer his permit to 918 Cherry Ave. NE, a move city officials oppose.

Jennifer Fitzsimmons, senior trial counsel for the city prosecutor's office, said Thursday that the Commission has tentatively scheduled the hearing on whether to consider the transfer for 9:30 a.m.July 9 in City Council chambers.

Reach Lori at 330-580-8309 or lori.steineck@cantonrep.com.

On Twitter: @lsteineckREP

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