Two murder on each side of town

By JAMES W. WADE III
Staff Reporter

Early Tuesday morning, Antoine D. Sheffield, 25, was killed.

At approximately 12:30 a.m., Cleveland Police Dispatch received a call about a male shot at 4405 W. 49th Street. Upon arrival, officers located the victim with a gunshot wound to the chest. EMS was notified, responded to the scene, and conveyed the victim to MetroHealth Medical Center where he expired from his injuries.

The Homicide Unit was notified and is investigating.

The preliminary investigation reveals that four Black males with guns, wearing masks, entered the above address. Once inside, the males asked the victim where the money was and searched the home. During the search, the victim was shot by one of the males in the chest. After shooting the victim, the males fled the scene.

It is unknown at this time if anything was stolen. At the time of the incident, there were four adults and five children in the home. There are no other reported injuries at this time.

“My son was not a bad person,” said Antoine Austin, the victim’s father. “He was a giving man. I am sure whoever did this to my son has to be someone who is close to him or someone he has extended his hand to help.”

Gun crime is becoming the main factor in the deaths of young people. Three months into the year, Cleveland’s homicide total is 18.

“Antoine was not a trouble maker. In many cases, he would stop bullies and bad people from picking on the underdog. It’s sad that he had to die this way,” said Austin.

The father went on to say his son wanted to be a good father to his three children.

Early Monday morning, around 4:30 a.m., the death of a young male, 20, was reported. As a result of the Homicide Unit’s preliminary investigation, a Dead Body Suspected Homicide report is being generated.

Police Dispatch received a call for a male shot in the area of E. 147th and Harvard Ave. Upon arrival on scene, officers were unable to locate the victim. Officers toured the area and located the victim in the front passenger seat of a green Subaru in the 3800 block of E. 151 St. with a gunshot wound to the chest.

EMS was notified and responded to the scene. The male was found unresponsive and pronounced dead on the scene. The Homicide Unit was notified and is investigating.

The preliminary investigation reveals that the victim’s sister received a call from a male stating her brother had been shot. After receiving the information, she notified police. Fourth District officers toured the area and located the victim in a green Subaru.

The official cause of death will be determined by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office. There is nothing further at this time.