Curtis Avent III, 29, was shot and killed on March 15, 2015, in Cleveland, Ohio. He was found on the sidewalk at East 91st Street and Aetna Road with a gunshot wound to his chest and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The investigation linked Avent’s death to a series of shootings that took place over about a month and led to the indictment of Marcus Ladson, identified as a member of the Heartless Felons. Ladson was charged with murder and multiple related counts tied to several incidents, including the shooting that killed Avent; his trial record shows convictions on murder, improperly discharging a firearm into habitation, participating in a criminal gang and other charges, with a lengthy aggregate sentence imposed.

Avent’s killing became part of a broader prosecution highlighting the Heartless Felons gang’s violent activity and its effect on the community.