Police: Middletown shooting being investigated as homicide

The death of a 48-year-old Middletown man who was fatally shot over the weekend is being investigated as a homicide, according to police.

Maj. Scott Reeve of the Middletown Division of Police said both Benny A. Barefield and the vehicle he was driving were struck by gunfire around 10:30 p.m. Friday on Ninth Avenue and Yankee Road just north of Verity Parkway.

FIRST REPORT: Officials investigate fatal shooting in Middletown

More details likely will be released Monday after the results of an autopsy are released by the Butler County Coroner’s Office.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Middletown Police Detective Kristi Hughes at 513-425-7733.

Staff Writer Lauren Pack contributed to this story.

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About the Author

Eric Schwartzberg

Eric covers the city of Hamilton for Journal-News.com. His previous work includes reporting on southern Montgomery County for the Dayton Daily News. He has been part of the Cox First Media reporting team since 2005. He is a graduate of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.