Beatrice Porter, 63, was shot inside her Garfield Heights home in the 12800 block of Reindeer Avenue on June 29, 2024. Her husband found her unresponsive in a pool of blood and called authorities; officers found her with shallow breathing and she was taken to MetroHealth Medical Center and placed on life support. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed she died of her injuries on July 4, 2024.

Prosecutors identified the suspect as Porter’s 24-year-old grandson, De’Lawnte Hardy. Authorities allege Hardy stole a gun from Porter and shot her in the face, then fled the scene on a bicycle. In the early morning hours of July 4, while Cleveland police were looking for Hardy in connection with Porter’s assault, Hardy allegedly shot and killed Officer Jamieson Ritter; he was later arrested and held on a $5 million bond.

A Cuyahoga County grand jury returned an indictment that includes charges related to both Porter’s and Officer Ritter’s deaths. Family members described Porter as a beautiful person inside and out; they offered no explanation for a motive. If anyone knew Beatrice Porter or has information about what happened that night, please come forward.