CLEVELAND — The damage done by a string of shootings throughout Cleveland continue to echo in the community, as dozens gathered along Lake Erie to honor the life of one of those victims.
“I shouldn’t have to be planning for a funeral for my brother,” the sister of Major Whitley told a crowd.
On Thursday morning, police said a homeowner called after they found a man lying in their yard along Walton Avenue in Cleveland's Clark-Fulton neighborhood.
The medical examiner’s office identified the 41-year-old as Major Whitley, who was described to News 5 as a family man who loved music.
Neighbors reported they heard gunshots the night before after an argument escalated outside.
Investigators initially said they’re still not sure who is behind the shooting. However at Sunday's vigil, Whitley's wife had a simple message for those responsible.
“We know who you are and you need to turn yourself in because you're only going to get into deeper trouble,” she said.
Whitley becomes just the latest in what’s a quickly growing list of people killed in the city this summer.
“It used to be that we would have spurts of too many homicides but then we would get a few weeks off,” Judy Martin at Black on Black Crime, Inc. said. “We don’t get time off anyone. Nobody is taking a break from killing and I don't know why.”
In less than thirteen hours Friday into Saturday,three people were killed and five others were injured in five separate shootings.
Anyone with any information is asked to call Crimestoppers at 216-25-CRIME where a reward of $5,000 is tied to the case.
A GoFundMeto help pay for funeral expenses has been set up by Whitley’s sister.
