MAPLE HEIGHTS, OH- A tragic incident unfolded on a Monday afternoon at Stafford Park, resulting in multiple fatalities, including a pregnant woman, her unborn child, and her husband. A 13-year-old boy was also wounded in the incident but is expected to recover fully. According to Police Chief Todd Hansen, the shooting occurred shortly after 3 p.m. amidst a large gathering at the park.
The alleged shooter, a 29-year-old man identified as the brother of the deceased woman, reportedly initiated a fight with others at the party. The altercation escalated, leading the man to draw a firearm and open fire. Preliminary investigations suggest that the violent act was the culmination of a longstanding feud between the shooter and his victims.
Chief Hansen emphasized that the attack was not random. “The shooter had specific targets. It was not a random act of violence,” he said. The pregnant woman was shot in the park’s parking lot, resulting in the loss of her unborn child. The 13-year-old boy, who was standing nearby, was grazed by a bullet. Chief Hansen assured that the boy’s injuries were minor and he would recover. The boy is believed to be related to the other victims, although the exact relationship remains unclear.
“The juvenile was not the intended target. He was merely in close proximity to the female victim,” Hansen explained. The woman’s husband, a 31-year-old man, attempted to escape but was fatally shot near the park’s restrooms.
Maple Heights police officers apprehended the suspected shooter as he tried to escape onto Auburn Avenue. Witnesses, including a church group present near the shooting scene, reported scattering and seeking safety for nearby children when the shots were fired. The group was found praying when news crews arrived at the park, located near Milkovich Middle School and Maryville Avenue.