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Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
I-Team: Suspect in custody after 2 East Cleveland officers shot, 2 civilians killed
[Editor's note: This article has been updated to correctly identify Lateek Shabazz as the East Cleveland mayor.] EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) — Authorities have arrested a male suspect in connection with the shootings of two East Cleveland police officers, the FOX 8 I-Team has learned. An overnight manhunt ensued after two officers were shot and wounded late Thursday night in separate but connected incidents, according to city officials. Sobriety checkpoints planned in 2 NE Ohio counties The officers had responded to a shooting that ultimately killed two civilians. It began as a domestic incident involving the alleged gunman's relatives, East Cleveland Mayor Lateek Shabazz said Friday. The domestic disturbance was reported at about 11 p.m. Thursday along North Taylor Road. One officer was shot in the leg at the scene, Shabazz confirmed. As police surrounded the home and awaited a SWAT team, more gunfire was heard nearby. A second officer was shot minutes later at the Town House Motel on Euclid Avenue, about a mile from the initial scene. That officer suffered a gunshot wound to the buttocks, officials said. The gunman fired on the second officer while concealed behind some brush, said Mansell Baker, the city's safety director. Both officers were rushed to University Hospitals and were reported to be in stable condition as of early Friday morning. One of the two officers shot was in 'good spirits' on Friday, though shaken up, Shabazz told reporters later Friday morning. Officer Joshua Durda, who was shot in the leg, has been with East Cleveland police for four years, said Police Chief Reginald Holcomb. He's expected to be admitted to the hospital, authorities said later Friday. Officer Brandon Hernandez, shot in the buttocks, joined one year ago. He's expected to be released from the hospital later Friday. Holcomb called both 'exemplary officers.' 'This is a stark reminder of the risks our officers face every day,' he said. 'I commend their courage and strength and assure the public we are doing everything possible to protect the public.' With the loss in manpower, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Office is now helping respond to the city's calls for service, Holcomb said. Authorities said later Friday they'll be in the city from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. through the weekend. City officials believe the same suspect is responsible for both shootings. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the alleged gunman, pending formal charges. Dozens of officers were at the scene, and Euclid Avenue near the motel was heavily secured as the manhunt continued. Police surrounded the motel, and the area was combed for the suspect, who was considered armed and dangerous. An Ohio State Highway Patrol aerial unit scanned the area with an infrared camera. Forty members of a U.S. Marshals task force joined the search, U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott told the I-Team. Residents in the area were urged to remain indoors and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement. Officers caught up with the suspect near Shaw High School, near the intersection of Shaw and Euclid avenues, behind a home with no other connection to the incident, Elliott said. 'They had him boxed in. He couldn't get out,' Shabazz said. Elliott said the man charged at a member of a Marshals task force, who then deployed a stun weapon to subdue him. The suspect had removed his clothes and was wrapped in garbage bags, Elliott said. 'Whenever a police officer is shot, we will continue to stand united in law enforcement and pursue and capture those responsible, no matter where they run or hide,' Elliott said. Search to resume for teen who fell into Black River The identities of the two people killed have not been released, pending identification by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office. Anyone with information on the incident is urged to call East Cleveland police. The number is 216-451-1234. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
This Chicago man did something wild when alleged squatters wouldn't leave his home — he moved in with them
When Marco Velazquez, a Chicago homeowner, discovered squatters living in his South Side property, he didn't leave. Instead, he stayed the night. 'I couldn't believe it,' Velazquez told ABC 7 News, after finding the home he was preparing to sell was already occupied. 'It was like a nightmare.' Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) The intruders, a woman named Shermaine Powell-Gillard and her boyfriend, Codarro, claimed they had purchased the property and even produced a mortgage document for police. But when Velazquez checked with Cook County officials, no such mortgage was on record. To his shock, the police couldn't help. 'The worst thing happened when police told me they couldn't do anything. It needs to go to a civil court,' he said, indicating that Illinois law prevented officers from removing the pair without a court order, despite Velazquez holding the deed. Determined not to let go of his home, Velazquez made an unusual choice. 'I said, 'I'm not going to leave.' Called a couple friends, stayed overnight and I knew they were not going to like that,' he told ABC 7's I Team. He, his wife and some friends camped out in the living room while the alleged squatters took one of the bedrooms. 'We stayed a whole night with them … watching the door,' Velazquez recalled. The next morning, Velazquez was given an ultimatum. 'They were like, we want $8,000 of what we paid, so we can leave your property,' he said. Though reluctant, Velazquez eventually negotiated a cash-for-key deal. He paid the couple $4,300 in exchange for their leaving and signing a release, as he feared what might happen otherwise. 'We didn't want to give them money, but we heard really bad stories about squatters taking over properties for six, eight, 10 months, even a year,' he said. Weeks later, a police detective told Velazquez that Powell-Gillard had also allegedly squatted in another home owned by Marcia and Carlton Lee. In that case, Powell-Gillard was arrested and charged with burglary, forgery, obstructing identification and criminal residential trespassing. Powell-Gillard has denied all accusations, stating that claims she is a squatter are 'false and unfounded,' and emphasized that she is 'innocent until proven guilty,' says ABC 7. The Chicago Police Department has not confirmed if they're investigating Velazquez's case. No one has been arrested or charged. Read more: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink has an important message for the next wave of American retirees — here's how he says you can best weather the US retirement crisis Velazquez's case underscores a broader legal issue: why property disputes involving squatters often fall under civil — not criminal — law. In Illinois and many other states, once someone establishes 'possession' of a home, even wrongfully, it can be difficult to distinguish them from a legal tenant. That means a legal eviction process must occur before law enforcement can step in. Under the current Illinois law, police often need clear evidence of criminal behavior, like a break-in or vandalism, to act. Like in Velazquez's case, if the squatter presents a lease, mortgage, utility bills or other documents — whether forged or not — police typically don't have the authority to assess authenticity on the spot. Instead, the dispute moves to civil court, where a judge can determine rightful ownership. But this may not be the case for much longer. ABC 7 reports that Senate Bill 1563 is working toward allowing police to remove squatters and skip the eviction process. The bill still has to be passed by the full Illinois House and would then be sent to the governor's desk for final approval. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
