MANSFIELD — Just three days short of the anniversary of Thomas Belcher’s murder, Mansfield Police say they have arrested a man in connection with his case.
Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz said officers recovered a Lee Enfield rifle with a scope, believed to have been used in Belcher’s shooting on Aug. 28, 2016.
Bakari Young was found with the gun on April 14 and is charged with receiving stolen property, Lt. Robert J. Skropits said on Friday night. Skropits would not say if Young is a suspect in Belcher’s murder but called the weapon a significant piece of evidence.
“The gun was taken during the homicide,” he said. “That’s why we believe the person with the gun was involved with the homicide.”
The antique weapon was a Belcher family heirloom.
The police obtained a warrant in April after receiving a tip.
“We secured the house,” Skropits said. “Sure enough it was there.”
Belcher was pronounced dead at his home, 387 Fourth Avenue, at 2:30 a.m after sustaining seven gunshots to the head, neck, torso and left leg.
Belcher co-owned Belcher’s House of Rock on Orange street with his wife, Margie Belcher.
According to a Richland Source report on Aug. 29, 2016, Rex Clay, a friend of Belcher’s son called the police describing the crime scene. He said the house was “Being robbed, the front door kicked in and Belcher’s blood everywhere.”
Police said various illicit drugs were involved.
“People know who shot and killed Mr. Belcher. It’s sad when people won’t tell the truth,” Skropits said. “We have several people of interest in reference to the homicide. We also have people we believe know who did it — actually killed Mr. Belcher.
“We want to bring those people to justice for Mr. Belcher. He deserves that.”
Anyone with information is asked to call Lt. Ken Carroll at 419-755-9724
