Darnell Haynes Obituary, Death; – A tragic weekend on the east side of Cleveland resulted in four teenagers being shot, including a 15-year-old boy who unfortunately did not survive.
According to police, the incident occurred on Highview Drive during a block party that lacked the necessary permits, late on Saturday night.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office has identified the deceased boy as Darnell Haynes from Cleveland Heights.
Police reported that a bullet grazed a 17-year-old girl, while a 17-year-old boy and an 18-year-old girl were also shot and subsequently transported to the hospital in a private vehicle.
Beverly Jordan, a resident of Highview Drive near Lee Road, described the area as a peaceful street predominantly inhabited by retirees and seniors, including herself.
She sensed something was amiss late Saturday night when she heard a commotion.
“Suddenly, they were running through people’s yards and everything, and I thought, ‘no, no,'” Jordan recounted.
Jordan contacted the police, but reported that no officers arrived. Later, she heard gunfire and sought shelter while calling the police once more.
“Out of nowhere, we heard ‘pow pow pow pow pow’ and I thought, let me grab my cane, and I went to the back of the house,” Jordan stated.
Just last month, approximately two miles away, seven teenagers survived a shooting at a car meet held at Lee Harvard Plaza. Police apprehended four men in connection with that incident.
Professor Dan Flannery, a specialist in youth violence at Case Western Reserve University, noted that gun violence typically sees an uptick during the summer months.
However, the underlying issues persist.
“The easy access to firearms for young individuals and the widespread belief among many youths that everyone is armed, prompting them to carry firearms as well,” Flannery explained.
Flannery emphasized that while parents can communicate safety messages to their children regarding their companions, the responsibility should not rest solely on the parents when children make impulsive choices.
“Part of the solution is recognizing that there have been significant reductions in funding for summer programs,” Flannery remarked. Jordan added that children require activities to engage their minds.
“The mother
