Special workout honors slain CrossFit trainer - 13abc.com Toledo (OH) News, Weather and Sports

Special workout honors slain CrossFit trainer

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Dozens packed Black Swamp CrossFit Tuesday night to honor a local trainer who was murdered on Monday. 57-year-old Joe Lengel was gunned down in front of his gym on November 19.  Police suspect it was an attempted robbery.

Tuesday night members from the CrossFit Toledo gym did a special workout designed by Joe's sons. CrossFit groups across the nation plan to do the special 'Joe Lengel Work-out of the Day' or WOD throughout the weekend. Local trainees say it's just a small way to honor a great man.

"He believed in people and the goodness in people," says Abbey Mortemore, who owns Black Swamp CrossFit, and trained under Joe for two years. "He was always someone that you could always talk to and he made you feel better in a positive way."

Michael Francis was going to the early class on Monday morning when he saw Joe's body lying in front of the gym.  He performed CPR on the late CrossFit trainer until an ambulance arrived.  Francis says he was wished he could have done more to help his friend. 

"For somebody to take his life, it's not a good thing," says Francis. "And I hope we find that person."

Black Swamp CrossFit has opened its doors to all CrossFit Toledo members.

Police are asking anyone with information about the crime to call the crime stopper tip line at 419-255-1111.

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