Aniaz Paradiso

Aniaz Paradiso, a 16-year-old Hispanic/Latino male, was a junior at Valley Forge High School in Parma Heights, Ohio, remembered by his school principal as “adventurous and full of energy.” His family described him as a “bright, energetic, and kind-hearted young man” whose father called him his best friend. His aunt, Suzann Minano, recalled being “blessed to have him, watch him grow,” cherishing the memories and times she shared with him.

In the early hours of Sunday, September 28, 2025, Aniaz was at a gathering with friends at a short-term rental on Cleveland’s West Side. Around 12:20 a.m., a dispute that began at the party moved into the street near West 130th Street and Lorain Avenue. According to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, a 35-year-old man named Brandon Simpson had words with the group of teens and fired a shot into the ground. Minutes later, a shootout erupted between Simpson and the teens.

When Cleveland police responded to reports of a fight and gunfire, they found Aniaz with a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency medical services. Investigators later determined that Aniaz was not shot by Simpson, but was instead fatally struck by "friendly fire" from someone within his own group during the exchange of gunfire.

In the initial days of the investigation, police arrested two individuals. Noah Gero, an 18-year-old, was charged with carrying a concealed weapon. Brandon Simpson was arrested and charged with murder in Aniaz’s death. However, as the investigation progressed, the case took a significant turn.

After reviewing the evidence, prosecutors dropped the murder charge against Brandon Simpson. They concluded that the state would not be able to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Simpson was not acting in self-defense when he returned fire at the teens. Simpson was subsequently indicted on a weapons charge for possessing a gun while on probation. Following this development, two of the teens who were with Aniaz during the incident were charged with involuntary manslaughter in his death. As of late 2025, the case against the two teens was proceeding through the court system.