Belinda Joyce Hunter, a 61-year-old Black woman known affectionately as "GG," was remembered by loved ones as fun, loving, and the life of the party. A grandmother and lifelong resident of Cleveland, Ohio, she was born on December 7, 1954. Her life was a cherished presence in her community, but it was cut short by a sudden and senseless act of violence.
On the warm evening of Sunday, September 11, 2016, Belinda was outside a house at 1277 Norwood Avenue in Cleveland's Glenville neighborhood. Without warning, a blue van approached, and an unknown person inside began shooting into the night. One neighbor later recalled hearing the sounds, initially mistaking the rapid succession of gunshots for fireworks. In the ensuing chaos, Belinda was struck in the head. A 27-year-old man, Montez Pierce, was also wounded in the drive-by attack, sustaining gunshots to his back and shoulder.
First responders arrived at a scene of panic and confusion.
Emergency medical services rushed Belinda to MetroHealth Medical Center in critical condition. Pierce was taken to a hospital by private means. Despite the efforts of medical staff, Belinda's injury was catastrophic. The following day, on Monday, September 12, 2016, she was removed from life support and passed away.
The shooting sent a wave of fear and grief through the neighborhood. Residents of Norwood Avenue were tragically familiar with the sound of gunfire. Bullet holes scarred several houses on the street, standing as silent monuments to previous acts of violence. One woman who had lived on the block for 30 years shared that her own home had been hit by a stray bullet the year before, near her bedroom. She expressed her shock and sorrow, stating, "it's really, really sad." Another neighbor discovered the crime scene only after opening her front door to find the street taped off by police.
The Cleveland Division of Police launched a homicide investigation into the deadly shooting. Detectives canvassed the area for evidence and witnesses, but the occupants of the blue van had vanished. The motive for the shooting remained unclear, and no suspects were immediately identified. The randomness of the violence left a community on edge, mourning the loss of a beloved grandmother and grappling with the persistent danger on their streets.
In the days that followed, Belinda’s friends and family organized a vigil to celebrate her life and demand justice. On the evening of Thursday, September 15, they gathered at the historic League Park on East 66th Street and Lexington Avenue. It was a somber gathering, a space for shared grief and a call for an end to the violence that had stolen a cherished member of their community.
Years have passed since Belinda Hunter was killed, but her case remains unsolved. As of the initial reports in September 2016, no arrests had been made, and the investigation was ongoing. There have been no subsequent public updates announcing arrests or the identification of suspects. The individuals responsible for her death have never been held accountable, leaving her family and community with unanswered questions and the enduring pain of an unresolved loss.
