Cory Alexander Blackwell, a 25-year-old African American man from Warren, Ohio, was shot and killed outside the Sunset Lounge at 480 East Market Street shortly after 2 a.m. on January 1, 2013. He had been at a New Year’s Eve party at the club; a fight inside escalated and gunfire erupted. Cory was found outside the bar and later pronounced dead at Trumbull Memorial Hospital.

Despite a large crowd at the time, no one came forward to identify the shooter. Detectives have a suspect and are following several leads and questioning numerous people, but no arrests have been announced and the case remains an unsolved homicide. The shooting was Warren’s first homicide of 2013 and renewed scrutiny of the club’s history with city officials; no definitive action on the liquor license renewal is recorded.

Cory was laid to rest in Oakwood Cemetery and is survived by his mother, Lillian Blackwell-Carr; his children Za’Marionna Gore, Antonio Appleberry, Nevaeh Blackwell, Dynisty Blackwell, Ricardo Stowers, Seantrelle Clevenland, Aaliyah Frazier and Za’Myiah Gore; and siblings LaToya Gore, Maya Blackwell, Tenesha Blackwell, Ticarra Blackwell, Katrina Carr, Michelle Blackwell, Tamara Blackwell, Anton Blackwell, Michael Blackwell and Anthony Blackwell. Anyone who was at the Sunset Lounge that night or has information is asked to contact the Warren Police Department.