Chaos at Toledo Restaurant Leaves 22-Year-Old Jayson Brown Fatally Wounded
TOLEDO, OHIO | November 8, 2025 — What began as a regular Thursday dinner service at ZaZa’s Restaurant in Toledo ended in tragedy after a chaotic robbery attempt left 22-year-old Jayson Brown fatally wounded. The incident unfolded around 9:00 p.m. on November 6, transforming an otherwise calm evening into one filled with fear, confusion, and heartbreak.
According to the Toledo Police Department, Jayson Brown entered ZaZa’s with the intent to commit a robbery. But investigators say he was not acting alone. Newly released court documents reveal that two other individuals — 34-year-old Taylor Raths and 39-year-old Ronald Hurst — allegedly conspired with Brown to carry out the crime. Their plan, authorities say, was coordinated and deliberate.
The group’s strategy involved disorienting everyone inside the restaurant before the robbery began. Raths and Hurst were reportedly assigned to deploy mace — a chemical irritant — to create panic and confusion, allowing Brown to grab money and valuables. The plan was meant to be quick and decisive, but within moments, it spiraled into violence.
Witnesses told police that as the mace hit the air, diners began coughing and screaming, struggling to see or breathe. The restaurant, known for its quiet family atmosphere, was suddenly filled with chaos. Amid the confusion, gunfire erupted. According to police, someone inside the establishment — whose identity has not yet been released — opened fire, striking Brown multiple times.
Patrons and staff scrambled for safety while 911 calls flooded in from the scene. When emergency personnel arrived, they found Jayson Brown suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite rapid medical response and transport to a nearby hospital, Brown passed away shortly after arrival.
Police immediately began investigating what went wrong. Surveillance footage from multiple angles inside ZaZa’s provided crucial evidence. Video reportedly shows the moment the mace was released, followed by Brown entering the dining area and the chaotic moments before gunfire broke out.
Based on that evidence, Toledo detectives arrested Taylor Raths and charged her with involuntary manslaughter, alleging that her actions directly contributed to the circumstances leading to Brown’s death. Authorities explained that under Ohio law, anyone participating in a felony that results in a death can face homicide-related charges, even if they did not fire a weapon.
Meanwhile, Ronald Hurst, the third suspect in the case, remains at large. A statewide warrant has been issued for his arrest, and police are urging anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers. Investigators believe Hurst played a key role in coordinating the attempted robbery and deploying the mace.
Toledo Police Chief Derrick Diggs spoke briefly about the case, expressing both sorrow and frustration over another life lost to senseless violence. “This was a preventable tragedy,” he said. “A young man’s life ended because of poor choices and reckless behavior. We’re working hard to make sure everyone involved is held accountable.”
ZaZa’s Restaurant has since reopened, but staff say the memory of that night lingers. The owners released a short statement thanking law enforcement for their quick response and expressing sympathy for everyone affected by the incident. “Our hearts go out to all who were here that night, especially the young man’s family,” the statement read.
Family members of Jayson Brown, still in shock, are now faced with the pain of burying a 22-year-old who, despite his mistakes, was deeply loved. His mother shared a brief comment through a family friend, saying, “Jayson made a terrible decision that night, but he didn’t deserve to die this way. He was more than one bad moment. He was my son.”
Community members have expressed mixed emotions — sorrow for Brown’s passing and outrage over the violence that shattered what should have been a peaceful evening.
The investigation remains ongoing as detectives continue piecing together the sequence of events and determining whether additional individuals were involved in the planning.
For now, Taylor Raths remains in custody, charged with involuntary manslaughter, while Ronald Hurst remains on the run. Police continue to follow leads and are urging anyone with information to step forward to ensure full justice is served.
The tragedy at ZaZa’s Restaurant stands as a grim reminder of how a single night of poor choices can end multiple lives — one in loss, and others in lasting consequences. What began as an attempted robbery ended with heartbreak, confusion, and the loss of a young life that could never be reclaimed.
