Township man killed in drive-by shooting
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WARREN TOWNSHIP -- Mark Cleveland, described as a family man who adored his grandchildren and family members, was found dead in his second-floor bedroom after his home was fired upon twice in a 10- minute span early Monday.
Cleveland, 65, 239 Bane St. SW, was shot shortly before 4 a.m., Monday, when one or more persons fired into his house from a passing vehicle.
According to a witness, a vehicle pulled onto the two-lane dead end street, fired multiple shots into the house around 3:50 a.m. and left the area. About 10 minutes later, the vehicle returned and fired more shots into the house before driving away. Several witnesses would not identify themselves out of fear of retaliation.
There were between 11 and 12 people, including a lot of small children, in the house at the time of the shooting, according to Warren Township police Chief Don Bishop. Cleveland was shot in the leg and bled to death, Bishop said.
Cleveland was found in an upstairs front bedroom on the east side of the older two-story, single-family home. The home is located on at least two lots and the grass is neatly cut and there are well cared for evergreen trees on its front borders.
On the morning of the shooting, a young child's bicycle sat on the edge of the yard and an older Toyota pick-up truck was in the driveway.
It is the only occupied home on the west side of the street. Another house across the street, just northwest of the property, is abandoned. The property across from Cleveland's home is filled with high grass.
Police found numerous casings in front of the Bane Street house, including some from a rifle.
"The rifle is what concerns us the most, because that is the most casings we found," Bishop said. "Especially firing into a residence with small children."
There also were other weapons used.
Because Cleveland's property is the only occupied home on that side of the block, Bishop is confident the house was targeted.
Several neighbors described Cleveland as a family man who did everything he could to help care for his children and grandchildren.
Gary Price, owner of Price Auto Body, 1906 S. Main St. SW, which is about a block from Cleveland's home, expressed shock at the shooting.
"It has been fairly quiet around here for the last 10 to 15 years," Price said.
Price said he recently talked to Cleveland about working with him to open a small engine repair shop on his property.
Bishop said he has known Cleveland for more than 30 years and said he would not have expected him to be a target for violence.
"He was knowledgeable of the area," Bishop said. "He watched out for people. He always had been cooperative."
Although he would not release a motive for the shooting, Bishop and several other law enforcement officers said they were investigating other incidents that occurred in the early morning hours in Warren that may be connected.
Early Monday afternoon, family members and friends were still gathered just outside the crime scene tape watching as members of the Trumbull County Homicide Task Force, including Warren police, the Sheriff's department as well as Ohio BCI were on the scene collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses.
Earlier, about 4:25 a.m., Warren police responded to a call from Nichole McCauley, 1670 Sweetbrier Drive SW, about one or more persons firing into in her home.
Officers found 15 .223 rounds, five .45 casings, one .45 round and a 9 mm round laying on the road in front of her house. One projectile was recovered from inside the home and a fragment also was found embedded in a picture frame.
McCauley told police her son was asleep in the front bedroom where a round came through the wall near his bed. No suspects have been identified in the shooting, but according to the police report, witnesses said a bright red Chevy Trailblazer was seen leaving the scene on Sweetbrier.
According to a Warren police report, an orange-colored SUV also was seen fleeing the area where Cleveland was shot. The same kind of ammunition found on Sweetbrier SW also was found at the scene of the Bane Street shooting, Bishop said.
Around 3:39 a.m. Monday, the Warren Fire Department responded to a call at 1535 North Park Ave., where they found a small fire on the porch of an empty house that extinguished itself before it caused significant damage. Fire Chief Ken Nussle said there was a 2 .5 gallon plastic gasoline container on the porch and clothing that may have had an accelerant on them. Nussle ruled the fire as an arson.
Nussle said the previous occupants of the house recently were evicted.
rsmith@tribtoday.com