Late Thursday night, tragedy struck at the cozy plaza of ZaZa’s Wood‑Fired Pizza & Mediterranean Cuisine on Executive Parkway in Toledo. What began as an attempted robbery quickly spiraled into fatal chaos, leaving a young man dead and a community reeling.
Around 9 p.m. on November 6, 2025, 22-year-old Jayson Brown walked into the restaurant in an apparent effort to rob the establishment. Police say he was shot by someone inside the business and, despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, later succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators say their big break came through surveillance footage and witness accounts. Court affidavits allege that 34-year-old Taylor Raths and 39-year-old Ronald Hurst conspired with Brown and at least one other person to spray mace inside the restaurant, presumably to assist the robbery. That confrontation set off the chain of events that ended in Brown’s death.
Raths has since been arrested and is charged with involuntary manslaughter. Hurst remains at large with a warrant out for his arrest. The authorities are asking anyone who might know Hurst’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers at 419-255-1111.
Patrons and staff at the restaurant say the scene turned violent in mere seconds. One witness described the moment the mace was sprayed and confusion erupted, leaving people scrambling and the robbery attempt devolving into a deadly outcome. The restaurant, which expresses pride in its welcoming atmosphere, now finds itself at the center of a community’s grief.
For Brown’s family, the loss is devastating. A young life with potential cut short, and for the staff who were simply doing their jobs that night, the shock of it all remains vivid. Community members have reached out to comfort the staff at ZaZa’s, reminding everyone how quickly everyday spaces can be transformed by violence.
While the investigation continues, the case now moves into the court system. Raths is expected in court early next week. Meanwhile, law-enforcement remains vigilant in the search for Hurst. As the city grapples with the tragedy, the message is clear: a routine evening out became anything but, and now a life is gone, families and friends left to pick up the pieces.