Police: Ex-boyfriend threatened to kill ex-girlfriend 'more than once'
"I've been waiting for her to call me," says Katelyn Lofaro. "Ashley called me every day and told me 'good morning'."
For years, Lofaro and Ashley Lockhart were there for each other. Both single parents, the memories they made bonded them for life.
Friday night, Lofaro says Lockhart's ex-boyfriend Steve Green III broke that bond.
"We were getting ready to go out...and Stevie showed up here and she'd just left his house and he followed her here," Lofaro said.
Austintown police say Green blocked Lockhart's car in and the two started arguing.
Within seconds, police say Green fired six shots.
"It was a very tumultuous domestic relationship, they'd been together for a few years," says Austintown police detective Lt. Jordan Yacovone. "Supposedly the incident was over relationship issues and the child."
Yacovone says Green threatened to kill Lockhart "more than once."
Now, as Lofaro plans a candlelight vigil for her cousin, she's urging others in abusive relationships to save themselves.
For her, it's even more personal than before.
"I'm a domestic violence survivor from my son's father, and I went through it at a young age," Lofaro says. "Don't be scared, please call the cops. Ashley was building up evidence because she thought the justice system would fail her and she waited so long till it got to that point...when she finally built up the courage to call the cops, he (Green) took her from us>
Green is in the Mahoning County Jail charged with aggravated murder.
He's due to face a judge Wednesday morning.
