BEDFORD HEIGHTS, Ohio — New video obtained by 3News shows the scene when two brothers, Josh and Dominic Cunningham from Solon, were shot and killed outside A Touch of Italy in Bedford Heights.
Bedford Heights Police say there was an altercation involving the two brothers outside the bar after another group was escorted out and told to leave (you can watch the footage in the player above). The Cunninghams' dad works as a DJ there every Friday night, and they're typically there with him helping out.
Now, police are looking for 29-year-old Shawntell Ellis from Cleveland as a person of interest in the case and searching for the 2023 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon seen in the video that was involved in the shooting. It has a New York license plate of KBR 5620, and authorities say Ellis rented it Friday and was supposed to return it Saturday.
"He has since called that rental company and advised them that that vehicle has been stolen and or lost, so at this point we're looking for the vehicle," Bedford Heights Police Chief Michael Marotta said.
According to Marotta, his department has been called dozens of times to A Touch of Italy on Aurora Road, and he's calling the restaurant a "nuisance property."
"These types of incidents range anywhere from a lost wallet, which is not a big deal, to shots fired, obviously a double homicide, sexual assaults, assaults, assaults with weapons," the chief claimed. "So it's very concerning for our police department."
But the business tells WKYC they have a robust security team there every weekend, and even hire off-duty Bedford Heights officers. However, Marotta says he pulled them after an officer was injured during a struggle for a weapon.
Now, the bar is changing it's hours, closing at 1 a.m. instead of 2 a.m. on the weekends and locking the doors at midnight so new people can't come in as added protection for their patrons following this tragedy. Thursday night, they held a vigil remembering Josh and Dominic, sharing stories about their vibrant personalities taken too soon.
The police department, mayor, and business owners are set to meet next week to talk about ways to curb issues moving forward. The chief says if the establishment isn't able to do so, he will be looking into possible citations or litigation.
If you see Shawntell Ellis or the Jeep in question, you are asked to call Bedford Heights police at (440) 439-1234.