Dexter Burroughs, a 21-year-old Black man, was a father to a baby daughter and a member of a close-knit family who would spend years fighting for justice on his behalf. His life was cut short in the early morning hours of Sunday, May 16, 2010, inside a crowded Cincinnati nightclub.
The shooting occurred at Club Ritz, a venue on Seymour Avenue in the Roselawn neighborhood known to police for a history of violence. That night, an altercation broke out inside the club, which was filled with hundreds of patrons. During the dispute, shots were fired, and Dexter was struck multiple times. When police arrived, they found him deceased on the dance floor.
The Cincinnati Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation. In the days following the shooting, Dexter's father, Ehling Burroughs, began a public campaign, not only seeking justice for his son but also demanding the closure of the troubled nightclub.
He and other community members called on the city council to shut down the venue, which had been the site of another fatal shooting in 2006 involving Philant Johnson, an associate of the rapper T.I. Under pressure, the club was temporarily shut down but later reopened under a new name, Club Aqua.
In August 2010, the investigation led to a significant development when Cincinnati police arrested 20-year-old Jerry Scott. He was charged with murder in connection with Dexter's death and booked into the Hamilton County Justice Center. The arrest brought a glimmer of hope to the Burroughs family that justice was within reach. However, the case took a devastating turn several months later.
In February 2011, the Hamilton County Prosecutor's Office dismissed the murder charges against Jerry Scott. The decision was made "without prejudice," meaning charges could be refiled in the future. The prosecutor's office explained that their case collapsed because a key witness refused to testify on the day of the trial. Dexter’s father expressed his frustration and determination, vowing to keep fighting. "We're not gonna let it go," Ehling Burroughs said. "We're gonna keep the pressure on 'em... We are gonna get witnesses that have a backbone." He told reporters he believed potential witnesses were being intimidated, with one reportedly saying they would rather go to prison than testify.
In the years that followed, Dexter's family continued to hold on to hope and keep his memory alive. They organized vigils to plead for someone to break the code of silence. At a candlelight vigil held on the ninth anniversary of his death in 2019, his aunt, Lisa Field, spoke about the frustration. "There were over 17 people who went to the police station to say what they saw," she said. "But no one is willing to testify. We need someone to come forward and speak up."
As of May 2019, the homicide of Dexter Burroughs remains unsolved. The case is a painful example of how a lack of witness cooperation can stall the pursuit of justice, leaving a family in limbo. His loved ones continue their public pleas for answers, seeking closure for the loss of a young father. The Ohio Attorney General's office lists the case as an open cold case. Authorities urge anyone with information about the shooting to call Cincinnati CrimeStoppers at 513-352-3040, where they can remain anonymous.
