CLEVELAND — *Editor's Note: The video in the player above originally aired on March 22, 2021.
A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted two men for their roles in the March 22nd shooting at My Friends Restaurant that left two people dead.
29-year-old Anthony Hunt and 25-year-old Antonio Ortiz have been charged with the murders of 27-year-old Keondre Austin of Cleveland and 23-year-old Geongela Rivers of Euclid.
"These individuals fired over 30 shots inside a restaurant full of patrons,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley in a statement. “Two individuals lost their lives and now they will pay the price.”
According to reports, Cleveland police responded to the restaurant, located in the 11600 block of Detroit Avenue, at around 4:00 a.m. for a report of multiple people shot.
Reports say that shortly after entering the business, Ortiz and Austin became involved in a verbal argument that resulted in Ortiz and Hunt firing multiple shots inside. During the shooting, the victims were fatally injured in addition to Ortiz and Hunt suffering gunshot wounds as well.
Ortiz decarded his gun and fled the scene in a nearby car, while Hung also discarded his weapon, but remained at the scene.
Cleveland Police responded to the scene and provided care to both victims and Hunt until EMS arrived. Austin and Rivers were taken to MetroHealth Medical Center where both were later pronounced dead.
Hunt was also taken to the hospital where he was treated and released for his injuries. Ortiz made it to the hospital in a private auto and was also treated and released for his injuries.
Homicide detectives with the Cleveland Division of Police conducted an investigation and successfully linked Hunt and Ortiz to the crime.
The two now face the following charges:
- Aggravated Murder
- Murder
- Felonious Assault
- Tampering With Evidence
- Illegal Possession of Firearm in Liquor Permit Premises
- Having Weapons Under Disability
- Aggravated Riot
Both men are currently being held at the Cuyahoga County Jail.
Hunt is being held on a $2,000,000.00 bond and Ortiz is being held on a $1,000,000.00 bond.
The pair will be arraigned at a later date.
*Editor's note: The video in the player above originally aired on January 4, 2021.