Tyreese Neal, a 20-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, was shot in the head on his left side while driving a vehicle on February 26, 2017, and died of his injuries. Two passengers, Terrance Lanier Jr. and Justin Robinson, were in the car when the shooting occurred. Police processed the scene and recovered a Kel‑Tech PLR‑16 5.56 mm semiautomatic firearm, a cell phone, and multiple cartridge cases.

Lanier and Robinson were charged in November 2017 with murder, felonious assault, and discharge of a firearm on or near prohibited premises. Their jury trial began in May 2018; court proceedings showed both were involved in the shooting. The trial court later granted the defendants a new trial. On appeal in State v. Lanier the appellate court affirmed the trial court’s judgment granting a new trial and dismissed the defendants’ cross-appeal.