The Identification of a Life Lost: Charles Pullen Jr.

The Mahoning County Coroner’s Office has officially broken the silence surrounding a tragic incident that occurred on the first night of April. In a news release aimed at providing clarity to a grieving community, authorities have identified Charles Pullen Jr., a 17-year-old resident, as the victim of a fatal shooting on the South Side of Youngstown, Ohio.

The announcement comes nearly a week after the shooting, a period during which the Youngstown community held its breath, waiting for names to be attached to the reports of violence. The confirmation of Charles Pullen Jr.’s identity has transformed a “police report statistic” into a human story, sparking a wave of mourning across the city’s South Side and highlighting the persistent issue of youth-involved gun violence in the Mahoning Valley.

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The Events of April 1, 2026: A Night of Gunfire

The sequence of events that led to the death of the 17-year-old began in the late hours of Wednesday, April 1, 2026. While many residents were settling in for the night, the peace of a residential neighborhood was shattered by the sound of multiple gunshots.

Emergency Dispatch and Response

At approximately 11:00 p.m., the Youngstown Police Department (YPD) received a flurry of calls via 911 reporting “shots fired” in the 100 block of East Judson Avenue. East Judson, located in the heart of Youngstown’s South Side, is a neighborhood characterized by a mix of long-standing family homes and some vacant properties.

Upon arrival, officers discovered a chaotic scene. Witnesses and neighbors had emerged from their homes to find a young male, later identified as Charles Pullen Jr., suffering from at least one critical gunshot wound. The severity of the injuries was immediately apparent to the first responding officers, who secured the perimeter and cleared a path for medical personnel.

The Battle for Survival

Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) provided immediate on-scene stabilization before rushing Charles Pullen Jr. to a local hospital. The medical staff at the trauma center worked feverishly to treat the life-threatening injuries. However, despite the best efforts of the surgical and emergency teams, the injuries proved too extensive. Charles Pullen Jr. later succumbed to his wounds, and the case was officially handed over to the Coroner’s Office.

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The Forensic Inquiry: Cuyahoga and Mahoning Cooperation

A key detail in the identification process involved the cooperation between neighboring counties. While the shooting occurred in Mahoning County, the formal autopsy was conducted by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Why Cuyahoga County?

It is a standard procedural practice for the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office to utilize the facilities and specialized forensic pathologists in Cleveland (Cuyahoga County) for high-profile or complex homicide investigations. This partnership ensures that autopsies are conducted with the highest level of forensic scrutiny, providing the Youngstown Police Department with the detailed evidence needed to build a criminal case.

The autopsy results, which confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound, are now a critical part of the permanent investigative file. These findings will assist detectives in determining the distance from which the shots were fired and the trajectory of the bullets—information that is often vital when trying to identify a suspect or verify witness accounts.

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The Investigation: Youngstown Police Seek Leads

The Youngstown Police Department, in close cooperation with the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office, is leading the active investigation. As of April 7, 2026, no suspects have been publicly named, and no arrests have been announced.

Focus on East Judson Avenue

Detectives have spent the last week canvassing the 100 block of East Judson Avenue, looking for any scrap of evidence that could lead them to a shooter. This includes:

• Doorbell Camera Footage: Police are asking any residents with Ring or Nest cameras to review their footage from 10:45 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on April 1.

• Ballistic Evidence: Forensic teams have recovered shell casings from the scene, which are being processed to determine the type of firearm used.

• Witness Interviews: Investigators are re-interviewing those who were in the area to reconcile conflicting reports of a vehicle fleeing the scene immediately following the gunfire.

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Youngstown’s South Side: A Neighborhood Under Pressure

The shooting of Charles Pullen Jr. is a somber reminder of the challenges facing the South Side of Youngstown. While the city has made strides in community policing and urban renewal, neighborhoods like those surrounding East Judson Avenue continue to grapple with the ripple effects of gun violence.

The Impact on Local Youth

At 17, Charles Pullen Jr. was at an age where he should have been preparing for the milestones of late adolescence—graduation, driver’s licenses, and future career plans. His death marks yet another “stolen future” in a city that has seen a disturbing trend of teenagers involved in violent confrontations.

Year (Q1)	Youth-Involved Shootings (Youngstown)	Outcome Trend
2024	8	Stable
2025	11	Increasing
2026	14 (to date)	Rising Concern

Community leaders are calling for increased investment in youth mentorship and after-school programs in the South Side to provide alternatives to the street-level conflicts that often escalate into tragedy.

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Seeking Justice: A Call to the Community

The Youngstown Police Department and the family of Charles Pullen Jr. are appealing to the public for help. In many urban investigations, the “code of silence” can hinder the progress of justice, but authorities are stressing the importance of coming forward to prevent further violence.

How to Help

Anyone with information regarding the shooting on East Judson Avenue is urged to contact the YPD or the Mahoning County Coroner’s Office.

• Tips Line: (330) 742-8950.

• Crime Stoppers: Anonymous tips can be submitted for a potential reward if the information leads to an arrest and conviction.

• Direct Contact: Detectives are available at the YPD headquarters for in-person statements.

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The Legacy of a 17-Year-Old

As the legal and investigative wheels turn, the primary focus remains on the loss of a young life. Friends of Charles Pullen Jr. have begun to share tributes on social media, describing a teen who was known to many in the South Side. A small memorial of candles and flowers has appeared near the 100 block of East Judson, a visual marker of a community’s grief.

The investigation remains “ongoing,” and the Mahoning County Coroner has promised to release further information as the forensic process concludes. For now, Youngstown is left with the memory of Charles Pullen Jr. and a renewed demand for safety on the city’s South Side.

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Incident Fact Sheet

• Victim: Charles Pullen Jr., 17 years old.

• Date of Shooting: April 1, 2026.

• Time of Incident: Approximately 11:00 p.m.

• Location: 100 block of East Judson Avenue, Youngstown, OH.

• Current Status: Deceased (succumbed to injuries at the hospital).

• Autopsy Conducted by: Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner.

• Investigating Agency: Youngstown Police Department.

“The loss of a 17-year-old is a loss for the entire city. We will continue to work tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.” — Youngstown Police Department Statement