Damia Ezell was 10 when she was killed on February 12, 2022, in a drive-by shooting in Toledo’s Old West End. Damia was a passenger in a car driven by her uncle, Kenneth White, at the intersection of Collingwood Boulevard and West Delaware Avenue when another vehicle followed White’s car because of a reported beef and opened fire. Multiple rounds struck White’s vehicle; Damia was fatally wounded and White was injured.

Investigators identified 21-year-old Dearryl Cornelious and 20-year-old Byron Cleveland as participants in the shooting. Cornelious was later convicted of aggravated murder, attempted murder and other charges and sentenced to life with parole possible after 25 years. Cleveland received a 39-year sentence. A passenger in the shooters’ car, Carmanetta Wilson, pleaded no contest to obstructing justice and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

The case drew attention to gun violence and its impact on the community; Damia’s family and friends have worked to keep her memory alive. If anyone has information that could shed further light on what happened that day, please share it with the Toledo authorities.