[LFC Comments: Thanks to a Kirtland lobbyist for this article. With the recent shootings resulting in deaths and severe injuries in Painesville, we wonder what is going on in the city, and does it portend increasing problems in the County seat? This is more than teenage mischief. We will continue to monitor events in Painesville.]

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From the Painesville Police Department:

PAINESVILLE, Ohio— On Wednesday, September 30 at approximately 1:40 p.m., Painesville Police responded to the area of Maple Elementary School, located at 560 W Jackson Street, to a report of two male juveniles threatening another male juvenile with a firearm.

The complainant advised that the males were currently running east from the location. Officers quickly arrived to the area and were able to detain all parties involved. Initial investigation revealed that a 13-year-old black male and 15-year-old black male used a replica firearm in an attempt to rob a 15-year-old white male while in the parking lot of Maple Elementary School.

Due to the close proximity of both Maple Elementary School and Our Shepherd Lutheran School, both facilities were placed on a brief lockdown to ensure safety. Both the 13-year-old and 15-year-old were taken into custody and turned over to the corrections staff at the Lake County Juvenile Detention Center.

No injuries were reported and this investigation is ongoing. Any persons with any information regarding this incident are asked to contact the Painesville Police Department at 440-392-5840.

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Updated 10/2/20

Painesville Police Chief Dan Waterman and Lt Toby Burgett:

On Tuesday, September 29, the Painesville Police Department was dispatched to investigate a complaint of multiple gunshots in the area of Morse Avenue near West Jackson Street. When responding officers arrived to the scene, they found three individuals with gunshot wounds. All three victims were transported to Lake Health’s Tri-Point Emergency Center.

One of the responding officers, Officer Chad Balausky, placed a tourniquet on a male victim’s leg, which is believed to have saved that male’s life. Unfortunately, one of the three victims that was transported, died as a result of his injuries. While officers were trying to attend to the wounded and checking the area for suspects and victims, they located a vehicle involved in the incident stopped on Owego Street near East Prospect Street. There officers found one gunshot victim who was already deceased from his injuries.

An initial investigation has revealed that a group of young adult males on Morse Avenue were in the process of recording a music video. During this time, another group of young adult males pulled up in a car on Morse Avenue and an argument ensued outside the vehicle. Gunfire erupted and four known individuals suffered gunshot wounds.

The deceased individuals have been identified as Darrell L. Nelson Jr., 22-years-old, of Painesville and Yamil Lanzot-Rivera Jr., 32-years-old, of Philadelphia, PA. Both men died as a result of gunshot wounds from this incident. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of all the victims of this horrendous event.

We would like to also thank the following agencies for responding to the scene or assisting in the investigation: the Painesville City Fire Department, the Painesville Township Fire Department, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, Fairport Harbor Police Department, Grand River Police Department, Lake County Metropark Rangers, Willoughby Police Department, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Lake County Crime Lab, the Lake County Coroner’s Office and the Lake County Prosecutor’s Office.

This investigation is ongoing, as investigators are pursuing all leads and welcome any additional information the public has to share. Please contact the Painesville Police Department’s Detective Bureau at 440-392-5839 to leave any information.

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Categories: Lake County Cities & Townships, Painesville, Uncategorized

Tags: FT