CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — A 14-year-old boy is in custody with the Cleveland Heights Police Department after police say he shot and killed a 15-year-old girl on New Years Day.
Police say it was around 9 p.m. Monday when officers responded to the scene in the 3900 block of Blue Stone Road and discovered a tragic scene.
"Upon arrival, officers found 15-year-old Narayia Thomas of Cleveland Heights with an apparent gunshot wound to the head," police said. "Tragically, she was pronounced dead on the scene by Cleveland Heights Fire Department paramedics."
Neighbors told 3News they were surprised and sad about what happened in their calm neighborhood where they typically feel safe.
"I don’t feel unsafe here, but I also know there are more violent crimes occurring in the area," Tina Bulucea said.
"It never ever dawned on me that something to this extent happened, where a child lost their life," Terry Phillips, who lives nearby, added. "I would never have thought that, especially in this community we have here."
"Its very tragic and it's not the kind of news you want to hear and I'm upset," Doug Hughes admitted. "I feel very sorry for the family and extend my feelings that way toward the family."
Hughes knew something was wrong Monday night when he heard a woman on the phone, crying outside his home.
"The actual words I heard was, 'They shot my baby and she's gone,'" he recalled.
Around 2 p.m. Tuesday, a 14-year-old male suspect surrendered to authorities with an attorney present. The teen, whom police say "is known to the victim and her family," is currently being held at the Cuyahoga County Juvenile Detention Center on charges of murder and felonious assault. Due to his status as a juvenile, his have has not been released.
"I just hope we can find an end to this somehow. It's too many shootings and too many deaths and too many young people dying," Hughes said. "You don’t want to hear it anymore. You don’t want it to happen anymore."
Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren released the following statement on the day's events:
"Our hearts are with the family of the victim, Narayia Thomas, a young woman whose life was taken far too soon. We mourn her loss together with the entire Cleveland Heights community."
"We're relieved that a suspect is in custody and surrendered peacefully. The fact that he is also a juvenile, one who had access to a gun, however, only compounds the tragedy."
MORE FROM WKYC:
- Lakewood Amber Alert suspect Ariel Walters faces judge, $500,000 bond continued
- Driver arrested for OVI after crashing into 2 Pepper Pike police cruisers
- Ohio State Highway Patrol: 7 people killed in traffic incidents during New Year's holiday weekend
- Tips to improve your financial health and save money to help with new year's resolutions in 2024, and more: 3News Daily with Stephanie Haney