Alexander LaShaun Gurley, 22, was found fatally shot with multiple gunshot wounds on January 4, 2024, in the 3300 block of East Overlook Road in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. A Bedford Heights resident, Gurley ran a clothing brand called LaShaun Alexander and was active in his community, including helping people experiencing homelessness. He had adopted a golden retriever puppy named Ghost in November 2022 and called the dog his son.

Police identified 20-year-old Joseph Byron Littlejohn of East Cleveland as a suspect and obtained an arrest warrant charging him with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery; authorities linked him to another aggravated robbery in the same area hours before Gurley was killed. Littlejohn later surrendered and was booked on those charges. Investigators said robbery tied to Gurley’s business activity on social media may have been a possible motive and that additional people were believed to be involved. The city and police offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to further arrests.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Cleveland Heights Police Department’s Detective Bureau or Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County.