Jeremiah Hawkins

In the warm evening air of July 17, 2025, the life of 18-year-old Jeremiah Hawkins came to a violent and abrupt end. A young Black man with a big heart, Jeremiah was in the 4100 block of Verona Road in South Euclid, a suburb of Cleveland, Ohio, when the tranquility of the summer night was shattered by gunfire. It was approximately 8:34 p.m. when officers from the South Euclid Police Department rushed to the scene following reports of shots being fired.

Upon their arrival, they found Jeremiah with multiple gunshot wounds. He was in critical condition and immediately transported to a nearby hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal. Witnesses at the scene described a chilling sequence of events. A red or maroon Nissan Murano had stopped on the street near where Jeremiah was. A male suspect exited the vehicle, opened fire on the young man, and then quickly fled in the same SUV. The brazen nature of the attack led investigators to believe that this was not a random act of violence, but rather a "calculated, targeted murder."

Jeremiah, who was born on February 21, 2007, was known for his love of basketball, football, and listening to rap music. His family and friends remembered him as a funny and dearly loved individual with a big heart who enjoyed helping people and especially cherished his grandmother. An obituary described his favorite foods as pizza, chicken, and Wing Stop, and his favorite television show as "Martin." Those who knew him were left to grapple with the sudden and senseless loss of a young life full of potential.

In the days that followed, the South Euclid Police Department, in collaboration with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office, launched an intensive investigation. Their efforts led to a significant breakthrough just over a week later. On a Friday, the EDGE SWAT Team executed two search warrants, one at a home on Victory Drive in South Euclid and another on St. Catherine Avenue in Cleveland. These raids resulted in the arrests of two men: 48-year-old Marlon Nesbitt of South Euclid and 29-year-old Terrance Chandler of Cleveland.

Both Nesbitt and Chandler were charged with aggravated murder in connection with Jeremiah's death. During their arraignment in South Euclid Municipal Court on the following Monday, a judge set their bond at $1 million each, with a condition of GPS monitoring upon release. The case against them was set to proceed with preliminary hearings scheduled for early August of that year.

As the legal process began to unfold, the investigation into Jeremiah's death was far from over. South Euclid Police Chief Joseph Mays confirmed that the case remained active, with investigators continuing to gather evidence, conduct interviews, and follow up on any leads. The department urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in bringing clarity and justice for Jeremiah Hawkins. While arrests have been made, the full story of why a young man with a promising future was gunned down on a suburban street continues to be pieced together by law enforcement, leaving a community to mourn and await answers.