CLEVELAND — On Sunday evening in downtown Cleveland, amid an tense operation to apprehend a suspect, a shooting occurred resulting in injuries to an employee of the Cuyahoga County Housing Department (CMHA) and a 19-year-old man wanted for a series of violent crimes. The incident, which took place on the 2300 block of East 40th Street, highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement in this neighborhood and sparked new discussions about safety in the city.
According to Cleveland Police Sergeant Wilfredo Diaz, at approximately 5:22 PM, the police received a call from CMHA officers attempting to arrest a suspect on East 40th Street. During the attempt to apprehend him, a gunfire exchange broke out between the officers and the 19-year-old suspect. As a result, a CMHA officer was wounded, likely in the arm, and the suspect also sustained gunshot wounds. Both were rushed to a local hospital: the officer's condition is considered stable, while the young man is in critical condition, police reported.
City Council member Richard Starr, whose district covers the downtown area, expressed concern about the escalation of violence in the city. "This incident serves as a tragic reminder of the challenges faced by our law enforcement and community," Starr said in an interview with News 5. He called for increased security measures and broader cooperation between city agencies to combat violent crime.
According to police, all officers involved in the incident were employees of CMHA, not regular Cleveland police officers. This led to the investigation being transferred to the Cleveland Police Department, which will determine the circumstances of the shooting and assess the actions of all involved parties. CMHA representatives have so far declined to comment, citing the ongoing investigation.
This case is another in a series of incidents highlighting the tense situation in downtown Cleveland, where high crime rates and economic hardships create difficult conditions for law enforcement work. Local activists are already calling for a wider discussion on police reform and strengthening social programs for youth to prevent such tragedies in the future.
While the investigation is ongoing, the Cleveland community remains tense, awaiting answers and hoping for the quick recovery of those injured.
