CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Division of Police announced 21 people were shot, including three fatally, as part of 13 separate incidents of violent crime in the city over the course of the 4th of July holiday.
“What occurred over the holiday was unacceptable, senseless gun violence,” said Director of Public Safety, Karrie D. Howard. “We all want safe neighborhoods, and together, we must do more.”
The first homicide took place on Monday night at approximately 10:29 p.m. at East 93rd Street and St. Catherine Avenue. Police responded to the scene to find EMS giving aid to a 52-year old-male who was shot in the back. The male was transported to University Hospitals (UH) where he was pronounced dead.
The second and third homicide took place overnight on Tuesday at approximately 12:10 a.m. Officers responded to the 9000 block of East 141st Street where they found a 23-year-old male who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head and body and a 24-year-old male who suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the body. Both were transported to UH by EMS where they were pronounced dead.
Police add that a large group of people were at the area of the East 141st Street homicides for a fireworks display. Over the course of the weekend, there were 226 calls for service to police related to fireworks activity. City officials stress that the use of fireworks without a permit remains prohibited by local ordnance in the city of Cleveland.
Investigators are seeking any information on the two homicides that will lead to the arrests of the perpetrators. If you have any information, please call 216-623-5464. A cash reward of up to $5,000 may be available.
“Cleveland Police investigators have been and will continue to put an enormous amount of effort into solving these recent crimes,” said Interim Police Chief Wayne Drummond. “If you have any information that can assist our detectives, we ask that you reach out.”
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