Tragedy Strikes at Bottom Line Bar: One Man Passes, Woman Arrested
TOLEDO, Ohio — November 1, 2025
A quiet Saturday morning in East Toledo turned into a scene of chaos and heartbreak after an early-morning altercation inside a local bar left one man dead, another seriously injured, and a woman under arrest. The Toledo Police Department (TPD) is actively investigating the deadly incident, which occurred around 2:15 a.m. inside the Bottom Line Bar, located in the 1600 block of Starr Avenue, a spot well-known among locals as a late-night gathering place.
Authorities say the violence began following a heated dispute between several patrons that quickly spiraled out of control. According to preliminary reports, the suspect — identified as 34-year-old Jessica Ramirez of Toledo — was involved in a confrontation that turned physical before gunfire erupted inside the bar.
When police officers arrived at the scene, they found two men suffering from gunshot wounds. One of the victims, 39-year-old Marcus Lee, was found unresponsive near the bar counter. Despite immediate life-saving efforts from first responders, Lee was pronounced deceased at the scene by paramedics.
The second victim, 41-year-old Anthony “Tony” Matthews, was transported to Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. According to hospital staff, Matthews remains in stable condition and is expected to recover.
Witnesses told detectives that an argument began after a verbal altercation between Ramirez and one of the men, allegedly over a personal dispute that had carried over from earlier in the week. Several patrons reportedly attempted to defuse the situation, but tensions escalated when Ramirez retrieved a firearm from her purse and fired multiple rounds inside the crowded establishment.
Bartender Lisa Connors, who was on duty at the time, described the scene as “absolute chaos.”
“It happened so fast,” Connors said. “One second they were yelling, and the next thing we heard were gunshots. People were diving behind tables. It didn’t feel real.”
Officers quickly secured the scene and detained Ramirez without further incident. She was taken into custody and booked into the Lucas County Jail on charges of murder, felonious assault, and improper handling of a firearm in a public place. Police confirmed that surveillance footage from the bar, along with statements from multiple witnesses, will play a key role in determining the exact sequence of events.
Marcus Lee, the victim who passed, was remembered by friends and family as a hardworking father of two who lived just a few blocks from the bar. His sister, Tasha Lee, spoke tearfully outside the family home:
“Marcus wasn’t perfect, but he had a big heart. He didn’t deserve this. We just want justice and peace.”
As for Tony Matthews, friends say he had known both Ramirez and Lee for years. The three were reportedly part of the same social circle that often met at the Bottom Line Bar on weekends. Police have not yet confirmed whether alcohol or other factors played a role in the incident.
The Toledo Police Homicide Unit is asking anyone with additional information or cellphone footage from the bar that night to contact Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111.
This tragic event marks Toledo’s 32nd homicide of 2025, underscoring the city’s ongoing struggle with gun violence and community safety. City officials and community leaders have renewed calls for conflict resolution initiatives and responsible gun ownership.
As the community mourns the loss of Marcus Lee and hopes for the recovery of Tony Matthews, flowers and candles have begun to appear outside the Bottom Line Bar. A small memorial now stands near the entrance — a quiet reminder of how one night of anger and violence can leave a lasting scar on an entire neighborhood.