CLEVELAND — The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office has announced that a grand jury has returned an indictment charging three people with the aggravated murder of a 3-year-old child in Cleveland.
Juan Davis, 34, Katherine Treadway, 30, and Devonte Parker, 28, all face multiple counts for the fatal shooting of Luis Diaz on September 28.
“The tragic death of this 3-year-old child was the direct result of the senseless gun violence that is plaguing our county,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley in a statement. “My thoughts and prayers remain with all who were affected by this truly horrible act of violence. We will do everything in our power to seek justice on his behalf.”
Police say that Treadway called Parker and Davis to her residence on West 66th Street and Barberton Avenue after an argument with Diaz's 31-year-old stepfather, José Mateo. Treadway and Mateo were neighbors in a shared duplex. Davis allegedly drove to a nearby street, then Parker and a 16-year-old boy exited the vehicle. Investigators believe Parker carried a handgun and the teen had a rifle as the pair ran towards the residence and fired several shots from across the street, then got back into Davis' car and fled the area.
Mateo was standing outside a vehicle parked in the driveway of the duplex residence. Inside the vehicle, a 22-year-old victim sat in the front seat, while two children, a 3-year-old child (Diaz) and an 11-month-old child, were sitting in the back.
While Mateo was shot in the foot, Luiz Diaz was struck by a bullet in the back. The boy was pronounced dead after being taken to a hospital.
Following the shooting, Treadway told the media that she had administered CPR to the child while she got a hold of emergency crews after the boy was shot. She described his body as being "cold" and further said "his lips were blue."
Both Treadway and Davis were arrested on September 29 and made initial court appearances on Monday. Bond was set for Davis at $2 million as the judge noted he was on post-release control at the time of the shooting, while Treadway is being held on $500,000.
Parker was arrested on Monday. He first declined to appear in court Wednesday, pushing back his arraignment to Thursday. Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Suzan Sweeney carried on the hearing without him, saying, "He doesn't want to see me? I won’' want to see him." Prosecutors asked the judge to set bail at $5 million, noting that Parker is wanted in seven jurisdictions and is a suspect in two separate homicides.
Sweeney ultimately set the bail for Parker at $7.6 million.
On Friday, Juan Davis and Katherine Treadway were indicted on the following charges:
- Two counts of Aggravated Murder
- Two counts of Murder
- Six counts of Felonious Assault
- Three counts of Attempted Murder
- Two counts of Involuntary Manslaughter
- One count of Having Weapons Under Disability
- One count of Discharge Of Firearm On Or Near Prohibited Premises
Devonte Parker was indicted on the following charges:
- Three counts of Aggravated Murder
- Two counts of Murder
- Six counts of Felonious Assault
- Three counts of Attempted Murder
- Two counts of Involuntary Manslaughter
- One count of Having Weapons Under Disability
- One count of Discharge Of Firearm On Or Near Prohibited Premises
Per the indictment, prosecutors have reserved their right to seek the death penalty against the trio, should they deem it necessary. All three will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.
Previous Reporting:
- 4th suspect in death of Cleveland 3-year-old refuses to see judge, who sets bail at $7.6 million
- Devonte Parker arrested in connection with shooting death of 3-year-old boy in Cleveland
- 2 face judge amid charges in deadly shooting of 3-year-old boy in Cleveland
- Cleveland police arrest 2 in connection with killing of 3-year-old boy; detectives working to identify more suspects
- 3-year-old boy shot and killed on west side of Cleveland; multiple people in custody