CLEVELAND — A 24-year-old man has been charged and is wanted by police in connection to the death of 74-year-old owner of a landscaping business in Cleveland’s Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood, according to court documents.
Sedrick Hawkins, 24, of Cleveland is charged with aggravated murder in connection to the death of Larry Manno, who was found brutally beaten by his secretary at his Buckeye Road office in September.
Manno was a fixture in the Cleveland community for decades, having operated Manno Landscaping on Buckeye Road for more than 30 years.
According to Susan Sevcik, one of Manno's employees, Manno was found laying on the floor in his office. His pockets were turned inside out and he was bleeding from the head.
He died weeks later after the beating left him with critical injuries.
Hawkins is not in police custody, but a warrant has been issued for his arrest.
Sevcik is hoping someone will come forward to help police make an arrest.
"Oh I’m thrilled that they have come up with a suspect," Sevcik said.
"Hopefully the message will get out there because I know the neighbors around here are very upset about it.”
Manno’s death left community leaders asking for more officers on the street, particularly in Cleveland’s fourth district.
Rob Render said the Buckeye neighborhood needs more resources to fight crime and said the upcoming closing of the Buckeye-Shaker Square Community Development.
"Buckeye has been struggling since the crack cocaine epidemic in the 1980s and its never recovered," Render said.
RELATED: Cleveland landscaper severely beaten last month dies from injuries, police case as a homicide
