Judge: Miamisburg shooting victim ‘a model participant’ in drug program

A Miamisburg teen gunned down in a deadly home invasion impressed a county judge for the “model” way he addressed a marijuana-use issue and is now being remembered a thoughtful co-worker and a friend quick to lend a hand.

Miamisburg High School classmates on Monday mourned the loss of Noah Kinser, whose services are set for today. The 18-year-old, authorities said, was a Dec. 30 homicide victim in a targeted attack that left another person injured at an apartment a block away from the Miamisburg Police Department.

The death of Kinser, who worked at TJ Chumps in Miamisburg, came months after he graduated from drug treatment program in Montgomery County Juvenile Court for “minor” legal issues, said Judge Anthony Capizzi.

RELATED: Services set for Miamisburg teen killed in home invasion deadly shooting

“Some young men and women go through the program with a lot of challenges, a lot of problems,” Capizzi said. “They take a long time to get through – two or three years.

“In his case, Noah focused on what he had to do, was really a model participant in the program and for six months did a great job and actually graduated in about five and half months,” he added.

“So, from my vantage point, he was a nice young man. He got over his drug problem,” Capizzi said. “When he graduated, I think he had been clean for about 160 days. And so, the sad reality is we never know what happens when they” become adults.

Kinser, an MHS senior, grew up attending in Miamisburg City Schools, and grief counselors and clergy were among those at the high school Monday helping fellow students cope with the loss as they returned from winter break, said Superintendent David Vail.

RELATED: Candlelight vigil, balloon release held for teen killed in Miamisburg home invasion

“We’re going to try and be very sympathetic to (students) needs – try and work through those things,” Vail said. “That’s why we have those people on hand to talk to them……we’ll be looking at all week.

“Certainly with the viewing (Tuesday) night, the interment on Wednesday, it may be a weeklong thing,” he added. “We’ll certainly play it by ear and (see) how many students it does impact and work with them on that.”

Kinser was also remembered Sunday night, when family and friends gathered for a candlelight vigil and balloon release at Riverfront Park.

“He was quiet. He was sweet, he was really smart,” said co-worker Ashley Glasener. “He had a sweet, soft smile.”

Kinser “had a big heart and even bigger smile,” according to his obituary. “He would help anyone with no hesitation.”

He “was an avid animal lover who loved his cats. He also enjoyed being with his friends listening to music and playing video games.”

He is survived by mom, Samantha (Eddie Barton) Kinser; dad, Benjamin Kinser, Jr.; brother, Michael Kinser; grandmother, Pat (Virgil) Samborsky; grandfather, Jerry (Diana) Mitchell; grandmother, Mary Kinser, and many other relatives.

RELATED: NEW DETAILS: AK-47, handguns found near deadly home invasion scene

Kinser died from a gunshot wound to the chest, according to the county coroner’s office. Miamisburg police said last week they are seeking two male suspects who fled the scene at 119 N. First St. in a dark sedan after the shooting, which was reported just before 10 p.m. Dec. 30.

Police on Monday did not respond to questions about the investigation.

Initial reports indicate seven gunshots were heard, police records show. Five officers responded to the scene, where there was “blood all over,” according to police records.

Those same records state “AK 47 in the room” and “several handguns in the room,” but do not indicate where they were found or who owned them.

Kinser was inside an apartment at the address when two armed individuals entered to commit a robbery, police have said.

Once inside the apartment, the suspects opened fire, killing Kinser and hospitalizing a second victim, whose is believed to have been treated and released from a hospital. The assailants fled in the car, police have said.

RELATED: Miamisburg fatal home invasion: Bullets blast into neighbor’s apartment


NOAH KINSER SERVICES

•VISITATION: Today from 2 to 7 p.m. at Newcomer South Chapel, 3940 Kettering Blvd., Kettering.

•SERVICES: Will take place after the visitation at 7 p.m.

•INTERMENT: Wednesday at 2 p.m. at Highland Memorial Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to His Hope Teen Challenge, PO Box 421, Miamisburg, OH 45343.

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