CLEVELAND, OHIO: Two individuals have been apprehended in connection with the tragic shooting of 3-year-old boy Luis Diaz inside his mother's vehicle in Cleveland, Ohio on Thursday, September 28.
The incident occurred in the Stockton neighborhood around 2.20 pm, resulting in the loss of the young child's life, while his mother and 11-month-old sibling were also present in the car.
Injuries and investigation
In addition to the devastating death of the toddler, a 31-year-old man who was in proximity to the vehicle on W 66th Street near Denison Avenue sustained a gunshot wound to the hip.
Fortunately, the shots narrowly missed the child's mother and sibling but struck the victim, Luis, in the back.
Both individuals with gunshot wounds were promptly transported to a nearby hospital, where the 3-year-old boy succumbed to his injuries.
The 31-year-old man, however, is expected to recover from his non-life-threatening injuries, according to reports.
Amid the ongoing investigation, Cleveland police have apprehended two individuals, and several persons of interest have been detained.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing an altercation preceding the discharge of at least eight gunshots.
Community grieves while mayor calls for unity
The incident has sparked shock and sorrow in the community, with Pastor Jake Streeter of the Denison Avenue United Church of Christ acknowledging the prevalence of violence in underserved communities.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb expressed his deep condolences in response to the tragic incident, emphasizing the need for unity in addressing violence and its underlying causes.
He called for the community to support the grieving family and reiterated the commitment to creating a safer city.
Bibb also pledged to ensure that those responsible for the shooting would be held accountable and brought to justice.
“Earlier today, our city lost a precious child to gun violence,” Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb said in a statement. “This heartbreaking incident is another reminder that we must come together as a city, state and nation to address this violence and its root causes.”
“No words can adequately express the pain and the sorrow of this tragedy,” he continued. “In the face of this loss, I ask the community to come together to support this family and to reaffirm our commitment to a safer city.”
Bibb concluded, “We will not rest until those responsible are held accountable and brought to justice.”
