Teen charged in Middletown homicide once posted about ‘murder spree’ on social media

Middletown police were dispatched to Michael Stewart II’s residence Saturday night after a female caller told dispatchers the 35-year-old man was dead.

Officer Dennis Jordan said in the police report that he was directed to an open door at the house in the 800 block of Ninth Avenue by “concerned neighbors.”

“I observed Michael Stewart laying face down on the threshold between the living room and dining room suffering from multiple gunshot wounds,” Jordan wrote in the report released to the Journal-News today.

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Stewart was found dead at about 9:57 p.m. Police made a traffic stop of a vehicle a short time later that was suspected to be connected to the homicide, according to court documents.

“Detectives retrieved security video from Stewart’s home and saw the suspect on video shooting and stealing items from his residence,” according to court records.

Middletown dispatchers received two 911 calls from females who were distraught after finding Stewart lifeless in his house.

“We need the police,” the first caller told dispatchers. “He’s laying on the floor and blood is everywhere.”

The caller said Stewart suffered multiple gunshots.

“Somebody probably had to come into his house and do something to him,” the caller said.

The second female caller gave similar information.

“He got shot,” the caller said while crying. “Hurry, please hurry.”

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Detectives had prior information that several subjects had been “conducting robberies on drug dealers. Detectives were made aware of a traffic stop conducted by officers shortly after the murder.”

Cameron Scott Kyles, 18, was charged Sunday afternoon with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery for the shooting death of Stewart. Bond was set at $1 million Monday by Middletown Municipal Court Judge James Sherron.

After conducting interviews and receiving information from witnesses, they learned Kyles was allegedly going to Stewart’s house for a robbery of money and marijuana, “however in so doing victim (Stewart) was shot and killed by Kyles,” according to court documents.

Acting Middletown Police Chief Scott Reeve said Stewart’s shooting is part of ongoing gang activity. Kyles is believed to be part of the Road Runner gang that has been involved in shootings and homicides in the city in recent years.

Last week, two men suffered gunshot wounds, including one who arrived at the hospital, where personnel called police. Neither victim would cooperate with the investigation, Reeves said.

“These drug dealers get robbed frequently and they don’t want to talk … pretty difficult to investigate,” Reeve said.

Kyles, who turned 18 in March, has had 15 contacts with Butler County Juvenile Court since July 2015.

Charges included multiple counts of domestic violence, disorderly conduct, assault, disorderly conduct inducing panic and multiple probation and parole violations, according to juvenile court records.

On Dec. 26, 2017, Kyles was charged with escape, a felony, for not returning to the juvenile detention facility after receiving a pass to go home. He was also charged with inducing panic for posting threats of violence against Middletown police.

In one post, Kyles was holding a gun. According to the report obtained by the Journal-News, Kyles sent a message to the Cincinnati television station that said, “Put me on the news (expletive). I’m going on a murder spree.”

Kyles was sentenced to six months in the Ohio Department of Youth Services for the incident. He was released in September 2018.

Since Kyles’ release, his parole has been violated three times and he has been sentenced to more than 200 days in the county juvenile detention center.

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