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Staff Writer
Update: A shooting early Sunday morning, June 8, 2025, in Cleveland’s Lee-Harvard neighborhood left seven teenagers injured. The incident occurred near the intersection of Lee Road and Harvard Avenue as police were responding to reports of drag racing in the area.
According to Cleveland police, officers received multiple calls shortly after midnight about vehicles drag racing. While en route, additional 911 calls reported gunfire at the scene. Upon arrival, officers discovered seven teenagers suffering from gunshot wounds.
The victims included three 18-year-old women, two 18-year-old men, one 19-year-old woman, and one 19-year-old man. Three victims were transported to hospitals by private vehicles, while EMS transported four others. All sustained non-life-threatening injuries (WKYC).
As part of the investigation, Shaker Heights police stopped a vehicle containing three individuals believed to have been at the scene. Officers recovered three firearms from the vehicle, and the 21-year-old driver was arrested on charges of improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle. A second vehicle, which had been used to transport two of the injured teens to the hospital, was also towed. Two additional firearms were recovered from that car, bringing the total number of recovered weapons to five (WKYC; Hoodline).
Cleveland Police Deputy Chief Jarod Schlacht emphasized that the event was not classified as a “street takeover,” noting that intersections were not blocked and emergency vehicles had unimpeded access. The investigation remains ongoing to determine how many individuals discharged firearms during the incident (WKYC).
Authorities are reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses, including video from a gas station that recorded the gunfire. The footage shows cars speeding away and people scrambling for cover as shots rang out. Detectives plan to interview the seven teenage victims to gather further details, though no additional witness statements have yet been released (News 5 Cleveland).
In the days following the shooting, community leaders and residents have spoken out about their concerns. Cleveland City Councilman Joe Jones called for a stronger police presence in the Lee-Harvard area, especially around the Lee Harvard Plaza. He stressed the importance of police stepping in early to prevent gatherings from escalating, saying: “That’s going to take police officers coming around on a consistent basis when they see activity start to gather. They need to go in there and tell them to disperse” (News 5 Cleveland).
Evelyn Slaughter-Jackson, a 16-year resident of the Lee-Harvard community, echoed this sentiment, saying, “We need more cops in this area” (News 5 Cleveland).Myesha Watkins of the Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance highlighted the importance of community support for the victims to prevent potential retaliation. She mentioned that one of the victims had been involved in her program, which, she said, shows just how important it is to stay connected with young people and keep offering them support and guidance (News 5 Cleveland). Cuyahoga County Sheriff Harold Pretel addressed the broader issue of gun violence, advocating for preventive measures such as distributing free gun lock boxes to help keep firearms out of the wrong hands (News 5 Cleveland).
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb strongly condemned the shooting and reaffirmed the city’s focus on public safety. He called on the community to continue engaging with young people and supporting prevention programs, saying, “Our community is safer when we work together and uplift one another” (News 5 Cleveland).
Community groups, including the Cleveland Peacemakers Alliance, are stepping in to support victims and their families while working to prevent any retaliatory violence that could result from the incident (News 5 Cleveland).
The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Cleveland Division of Police at 216-621-1234.
