Dayton, Ohio – Federal charges have been filed against a young man from Dayton following a shooting incident that took place at a busy transit location last year. Authorities confirmed that 25-year-old James Thomas Hurt was arrested by federal agents and appeared in court after being accused of possessing a machinegun during the incident at the city’s RTA bus hub in September 2025.
According to court records, the shooting happened during the morning of September 26, 2025, in downtown Dayton. Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators reportedly showed Hurt being assaulted by a group of individuals before the situation escalated. After the initial confrontation, Hurt allegedly ran from the scene but then returned and fired shots.
Evidence uncovered after shooting raises concerns
Investigators say that after the shooting, Hurt disposed of his firearm by throwing it into a trash can located in a nearby parking garage along East Fourth Street. Authorities later stated that Hurt returned to the same trash can, allegedly attempting to recover the weapon, but by that time it had already been taken by Dayton police officers.
The investigation did not end there. Officers searching the area discovered additional items tied to the case, including ammunition and multiple Glock switches, also known as machinegun conversion devices. These items were reportedly buried near the bus hub in a location where surveillance footage showed Hurt digging shortly after the shooting occurred.
When Hurt was taken into custody, officials say he was found with 10 suspected machinegun conversion devices. Among those were two described as swift links designed for AR-type firearms, adding to the seriousness of the charges.
Hurt now faces a federal charge of illegal possession of a machinegun, an offense that carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison if convicted. The case is being handled by federal prosecutors following coordination between multiple agencies.
The charges were announced by United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Dominick S. Gerace II, along with Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives Jorge Rosendo and Kamran Afzal. Assistant United States Attorney Ryan A. Saunders is leading the prosecution.
The case remains ongoing as officials continue to review evidence connected to the incident and prepare for further court proceedings.
