Shemsi Sanu Baraka, 26, was found dead in the front yard of a residence on Sagamore Road in Walton Hills, Ohio, on March 25, 2024. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner determined he died of multiple gunshot wounds to the head and ruled the death a homicide. This was reported as Walton Hills’s first murder in over 50 years.

Baraka lived in South Euclid and was a master Djembe drummer who performed with African Soul International and appeared in the 2021 film Coming 2 America. His family held a vigil at Cleveland Lakefront State Park on April 1, 2024, what would have been his 27th birthday, and started a GoFundMe for funeral costs and a memorial fund to provide free African drumming lessons to youth.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office are handling the inquiry. No arrests have been announced and officials have not identified suspects or a motive; they have said the incident appears isolated. If anyone knew Shemsi Baraka or has information that could help investigators, please come forward.