CLEVELAND, Ohio – A man was “popping off” to celebrate the new year when Cleveland police say he shot and killed his girlfriend.
Officers responded to the scene in the 5900 block of Merril Avenue at about 12:15 a.m. Wednesday.
When police arrived at the couple’s home, they found the 31-year-old victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. The woman was then transported to Metro Hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Police said the woman was living with her 38-year-old boyfriend and they were having a New Year's Eve gathering when the deadly shooting took place.
The boyfriend was arrested at the scene.
The incident was one of 13 separate Cleveland shootings that occurred within a nine-hour span between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
The first shooting happened at 6 p.m. A 27-year-old man walked into Marymount Hospital with a gunshot wound. He told authorities the initial shooting happened near New York Avenue and Turney Road.
At the same time, another shooting happened at Mohican Park on Triskett Road. A 22-year-old man was transported to Fairview Hospital via private vehicle with a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Three hours later, police responded to a shooting in the 2900 block of Roanoke Avenue. A 69-year-old man was transported to Metro Hospital with a gunshot wound to the police.
At 10 p.m., police responded to a shooting in the 5600 block of Woodland Avenue. A 30-year-old man suffered from gunshot wounds to the chest and back. He was transported to Metro Hospital in critical condition.
One hour later, police responded to a shooting in the 4000 block of East 146th Street. A 22-year-old man suffered from a gunshot wound to the leg. His condition is unknown.
Shortly after midnight, police responded to a shooting in the 10000 block of North Boulevard. A 34-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound to the face. His condition is unknown at this time.
At 1 a.m., police responded to a shooting at Club Medusa. Police said four people were shot. Two of them were transported to Metro Hospital by EMS, and two drove to the hospital via private vehicles. Their conditions are unknown.
An hour later, a 16-year-old female was transported to Metro Hospital by her parents. She suffered a gunshot wound to the foot. She told police the original shooting happened in the area of East 55th Street and Kinsman Avenue.
The last shooting of the night happened at 3 a.m. A 27-year-old man was transported via private vehicle with a gunshot wound to the foot and refused to give police any information.
This story was originally published by Courtney Shaw at WEWS.
