MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — Police say a husband and wife along with their unborn child are dead following a "family feud that turned into a deadly shooting" Labor Day afternoon in Maple Heights.
The incident occurred at Stafford Park around 3:15 p.m. Police Chief Todd Hansen says the 30-year-old pregnant woman, Mercedes Iverson, as well as her 31-year-old husband, Norbert Carter, were both shot and killed, while a 13-year-old was also grazed by a bullet.
Per Hansen, the woman's 29-year-old brother, Jason D. Iverson, has been identified as the suspect. Witnesses said they heard shouting near the parked cars before the suspect shot his sister while her husband ran towards the pavilion. The suspect then chased after him before also gunning him down.
As Jason Iverson attempted to run away, officers caught up to him and took him into custody. He is being held pending an arraignment on charges of murder and attempted murder.
The 13-year-old has since been treated for a graze wound and released from the hospital. Police would not confirm what relationship (if any) the teen might have to the other family members.
There was a church event happening in the park at the same time as the shooting. While the two events were not connected, Hansen told reporters the overlap led to a "chaotic" scene as the park was full of people for the holiday when the gunshots rang out.
“It's senseless," Maple Heights City Councilman Stafford Shenett (District 1) told 3News. "And thank God more people didn't get hurt. Thank God that didn't happen. But it's just so unfortunate. And I think that, especially in an inner city like ours, it takes you backwards. You try your best to do things to make the city better. You celebrate some accomplishments. But I describe it as taking two steps forward, then three steps back."
Shenett said he plans to push for safety initiatives to lessen the violence, such as increased youth engagement and learning how local police can be more strongly supported.
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