A 19-year-old man was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday in the August 2023 murder of a 17-year-old East High School senior, the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office announced.
Darrin Welch pleaded guilty for counts of murder and felonious assault in connection to the death of Antenio Louis.
“Antenio Louis was a beloved son, brother, and teammate. His life was cut far too short,” Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich said in a statement. “I am thankful for the Akron Police Department and our assistant prosecutors who worked to make sure Welch would be held accountable for this senseless act of violence.”
What happened to Antenio Louis?
East High School head coach Marques Hayes unfurls a poster of Antenio Louis in his office on Thursday Sept. 28, 2023, in Akron, Ohio. [Phil Masturzo/ Beacon Journal]
Louis was reportedly riding as a passenger in a car traveling on East Glenwood Avenue on Aug. 16, 2023 when another vehicle that Welch was in drove in front of Louis’ car and opened fire, killing the teen and severely injuring the 23-year-old driver, the prosecutor’s office noted.
Who else was charged in Antenio Louis’ death?
Welch was the third person to be charged in Louis’ death. Ahmere Williams was charged with aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault and multiple firearm and criminal gang activity specifications. Khairi Moorer, 22, was also charged with murder and assault in connection to Louis’ death.
Louis murder 911 calls: ‘Someone has been shot’: 911 calls detail fatal shooting of 17-year-old Antenio Louis
What happens next with Darrin Welch?
Welch is expected to plead guilty in a separate murder case next week and receive an additional life sentence. He will not be eligible for parole consideration until he has served at least 30 years in prison between both cases.
He will be required to register in the Violent Offender Database, the prosecutor’s office said.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@gannett.com, or on Twitter @athompsonABJ
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Darrin Welch sentenced to life in prison in 2023 Antenio Louis murder