Joseph Brandenburg, Deelaquan Smith Obituary, Death – Authorities have released the names of two men who died after separate shootings in Dayton on Wednesday night. The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as 48-year-old Joseph Brandenburg and 23-year-old Deelaquan Smith. Both men were taken to Miami Valley Hospital, where they were later pronounced dead.
The first shooting occurred at approximately 6:35 p.m. in the first block of Lombard Avenue. Dayton police officers were dispatched to the scene following reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, they discovered Brandenburg suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency responders provided aid before transporting him to the hospital, but his injuries proved fatal.
Dayton Police Lt. Eric Sheldon reported that detectives quickly began investigating the incident. A possible suspect was identified and brought in for questioning. While details about the suspect’s identity and charges have not been released, Sheldon confirmed that investigators recovered multiple pieces of evidence from the scene. Among the items collected were several handguns and numerous spent shell casings, which will be examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Roughly five hours later, a second shooting was reported at around 11:30 p.m. in the 3400 block of Valerie Arms Drive. When officers arrived, they found Smith suffering from gunshot wounds. Like Brandenburg, Smith was transported to Miami Valley Hospital. Despite medical efforts, he did not survive his injuries.
Police have not indicated whether the two shootings are connected or if they are being treated as entirely separate incidents. Each case is being investigated individually, with detectives gathering witness statements, reviewing surveillance footage, and processing physical evidence to determine the circumstances leading to the gunfire.
Both shootings have heightened concerns about gun violence in Dayton, as the incidents occurred within hours of each other and resulted in the deaths of two community members. Authorities have not released any information regarding motives in either case, and it is unclear whether arrests have been made beyond the initial questioning of the potential suspect in Brandenburg’s shooting.
The recovery of multiple firearms and shell casings in the first incident suggests a significant exchange of gunfire, which police will analyze to determine the number of shooters and the sequence of events. In the second case, investigators will likely follow similar procedures, using ballistic evidence and any available video footage to track down those responsible.
Officials are urging anyone with information about either shooting to come forward. Tips from witnesses or community members could be vital in helping detectives solve the cases and bring closure to the victims’ families.
As the investigations continue, both Brandenburg and Smith’s deaths are reminders of the devastating impact of gun violence on individuals, families, and neighborhoods. Dayton police have expressed their commitment to pursuing every lead and ensuring justice for the victims while working to prevent further tragedies in the community.
