Cleveland police have yet to identify a suspect.
Cleveland Police are still investigating the tragic death of a 10-year-old boy in the city’s east side. Kaden Coleman was fatally shot on Friday evening in the Corlett neighborhood.
Authorities responded to reports of a shooting on the 3900 block of East 147th Street close to Glendale Avenue, where they discovered Coleman suffering from a gunshot wound to his head.
Subsequently, an acquaintance brought the child to the Fourth District police station, after which emergency medical services administered aid and took him to a medical facility.
Police said they got word that Coleman died around 2 a.m.
Their investigation states the 10-year-old was in a vehicle that was backing out of a driveway when an “unknown suspect” fired “multiple” gunshots at the car.
On Monday, 3News asked a Cleveland Police spokesman about their search for a suspect and the latest on their investigation.
“We are still working some details on this investigation and not able to provide any updates at this time,” the spokesman responded.
On Monday, Ohio House District 22 Rep. Darnell Brewer released a statement on the case.
“We in District 22 and the Cleveland community are heartbroken by the tragic and senseless loss of 10-year-old Kaden Coleman, who was shot and killed last Friday night while in a vehicle,” he said. “No arrests have been made regarding this heartbreaking incident, and we urge the community to come forward with any information that may lead to justice for Kaden and his grieving family. Kaden was a bright, joyful child whose life was cut far too short by an act of violence that should never happen in our neighborhoods. His family, friends, and the entire community are mourning this unthinkable tragedy and demand accountability for those responsible.”
3News also reached out to Cleveland Councilman Joe Jones about this taking place in his Ward 1 community, and he said, “It is absolutely horrible and tragic when we lose someone who is innocent and so young. We are absolutely distraught as a community behind this.”
He believes getting more police on the ground in his ward and state legislation that decreases access to guns are starting solutions to keep this type of tragedy from happening.
One resident that lives in the area where Coleman was shot also wants to see more officers around.
“I feel that more police need to be policing and looking for any type of activity leading up to something like that,” said Greg Parries. “I feel devastated that a kid would lose his life over nothing because there’s nothing that he could be doing that would warrant dying.”
City of Cleveland Chief of Youth & Family Success Sonya Pryor-Jones wants the community to know that they can connect any family going through this type of tragedy to social support specialists and clinical crisis services.
She said the City is fighting to make such violent tragedy happen less.
“Our number one goal is to stop violence before it ever happens, and so we believe you do that through a mix of services,” she explained.
She likes to create safe spaces for youth where they can be safe from gun violence or encouraged to keep away from causing it by focusing their energies on productivity and positivity.
“They can be engaged, and they can be somewhere safe with caring adults and doing something that is fun and of interest,” she said. “And many of these programs also have support and services around the families. In addition to that, the City of Cleveland has invested in neighborhood resource and recreation centers. So, you can go there, you can take advantage of programs, but you can also speak to a caring adult who is the social support specialist to help that family member or that young person with any issue they might be facing.”
She highlighted the organization Beat the Streets Cleveland as an example of good work being done in the community.
3News met with its Executive Director Demetrius Williams.
“Our mission is to positively alter the life trajectory for K-12 student-athletes in the city of Cleveland by giving them access to youth development, mentoring, and the sport of wrestling,” he said. “We need to create opportunity and continue doing what we’re doing here at Beat the Streets Cleveland to provide that safe place for kids to learn and grow and excel. Here at Beat the Streets, we were intentional about creating that space.”
Pryor-Jones encourages anyone struggling to contact the specialists of City of Cleveland Social Support Services Unit at 216-664-2223.
