Heated Argument Yields Tragic Results In Toledo

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David Babcock was tragically shot and left for dead while riding his bicycle to work on July 15, 2008.

David Babcock was the epitome of a survivor. In the mid-1990s, doctors diagnosed him with a large, malignant brain tumor, and his prognosis for recovery was bleak at best.

But David beat the odds, thanks to some aggressive cancer treatment and sheer will to live.  For 13 years, he lived without the disease, though the subsequent surgeries left him with permanent nerve damage.

Prior to his diagnosis he had worked at Fresh Products, a Toledo-based cleaning product manufacturer. After his recovery, David returned to work and continued working there -- until July 15, 2008.

As gas prices soared in the early summer, cops say David decided to forgo driving, instead choosing to ride his bike the eight miles to work on Toledo's Southside.

Shortly after 5:30 a.m. that morning, when David was only a few blocks from work, witnesses on the residential, tree-lined street say they heard a commotion.  The sound of loud voices woke numerous people in the area, and some witnesses reported hearing a heated argument.

It was the last time anyone would ever hear David Babcock's voice.

Cancer Survivor Gunned Down En Route To Work

At the height of the shouting match, witnesses tell police they heard a gunshot. One eyewitness saw a dark figure run from the scene, leaving David there to die.

Cops in Toledo tell AMW that when the responding officers arrived on scene, they found David alive. Though he had been shot in the mouth at close range, he still had a pulse when they rushed him to St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center. Medical personnel there pronounced David dead upon arrival.

Based upon the information witnesses have told police, there is very little for cops to go on. Due to the time and location of the crime, there was very little natural light.

Cops say there were probably numerous people in the general area, as it is a well-traversed part of town, but unfortunately, few solid leads have come in.

Toledo police tell AMW that the shooter is believed to be a black male, approximately 6' to 6'6" tall, and he may have been wearing a black sweat suit. Witnesses say they saw him running across Western Ave. towards South Ave. right after the shooting.

Cops need as much help as they can get to solve this tragic murder. They know that people were in the area where David Babcock spent his final moments, and somebody had to have seen or heard something that could help bring this killer to justice.

If you know any information about the coward that ruthlessly shot and killed David Babcock, you've got to call our hotline at 1-800-CRIME-TV. You can remain anonymous.

Cops Arrest Teen For Toledo Bicyclist Murder

Toledo Police arrested Dounche Jones for the senseless murder of David Babcock, 46, who began biking to work once gas prices skyrocketed.
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Shortly after 1 a.m. on July 24, 2008, cops arrested Dounche Jones on Toledo's south end, in connection with the fatal shooting of 46-year-old David Babcock.

Jones was just months away from his twentieth birthday at the time of the shooting.

After a trial lasting only three days, a jury of Jones' peers convicted the 20-year-old with Babcock's murder on Dec. 3, 2008.  The jury came to their decision after deliberating for three hours.

When sentenced, Jones faces 18 years-to-life behind bars for this senseless, tragic murder.