Previously convicted felon charged federally for possessing firearm during local gas station shootout

DAYTON, Ohio – A Trotwood man was charged federally today after he allegedly participated in a shootout at a local gas station last week.

Walter Rodgers, 35, is charged with illegally possessing a firearm after being convicted of a felony crime.

According to charging documents, on Sept. 2, Dayton police officers were dispatched to the Sunoco gas station on E. Third Street in Dayton due to early afternoon calls of a shooting. Rodgers allegedly ran inside the gas station after being shot at, retrieved a firearm from his bag and exited the Sunoco to return fire.

It is alleged that Rodgers possessed a firearm that law enforcement recovered at the scene. The gun was covered in blood; Rodgers was hit during the gun fight.

Court documents also detail that, during the shootout, Rodgers allegedly stated, “I’m going to do ya’ll like I did Cierra,” potentially referring to his former girlfriend Cierra Chapman, who was reported missing in 2022 and is yet to be found.

Rodgers was previously convicted in Montgomery County of aggravated burglary and abduction. Possessing a firearm as a convicted felon is a federal crime punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Dominick S. Gerace II, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio; Thomas A. Greco, Acting Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF); and Dayton Police Chief Kamran Afzal announced the charges. Assistant United States Attorney Erica Lunderman is representing the United States in this case.

A criminal complaint merely contains allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #