Neighbors respond to arrest of alleged killer of pregnant woman, teen

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) — After nearly two months, the man accused of shooting and killing a pregnant woman and a teenage family member has been caught.

On Tuesday evening, 2 NEWS reported that Nicole “Nico” Cunigan, Jr. was arrested in Cleveland after a failed traffic stop and pursuit involving Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers.

Cunigan faces a dozen charges after a shooting at a home on Shaftesbury Road. He’s accused of killing Precious Taste, 32, and Deante Johnson, 16. Taste was pregnant with Cunigan’s child.

The people who live near the home where it happened say this has been a dark cloud covering the neighborhood and there has been a lot of pain for the families of those victims.

Now that Cunigan is behind bars, they’re hoping everyone will be a step closer to healing.

“I did a lot of worry. I did a lot of praying, hoping that he would turn himself in,” said neighbor Joyce Buckingham.

Cunigan has been on the run for the past two months. And now that he has been captured, neighbors like Joyce Buckingham are breathing a sigh of relief.

“For everybody involved and for everybody that’s on this street. They can relax a little bit,” said Buckingham. “I loved them. I certainly miss the kids. I miss those little people. And I look down and think of her every day. So I hope this helps them to heal a little more.”

According to OSP, troopers tried to pull Cunigan over in a reportedly stolen vehicle used in an armed robbery. He didn’t stop, starting a cause with troopers assisted by a helicopter. He was later caught in an abandoned home and is now in the Cuyahoga County Jail.

The Montgomery County Prosecutor says this case is still being processed and there is no timeline yet on when Cunigan will be sent back to Dayton.

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