Eirsrick Ja`Jaun Scruggs, a 29-year-old Black man known to friends and family as “E-Drag,” was remembered for his big heart and his devotion to his children and loved ones. Born in Akron, Ohio, on April 5, 1981, to Yvonne Travis-Tyson and Eric Scruggs, he attended Akron Public Schools and was a member of the St. Ashworth Temple. He worked in construction and various odd jobs, but his greatest joy was spending time with his family and friends. His loved ones recalled that he would do anything for his "people." Eirsrick was a father to several children, including Nar’Shay, Eirsrick Jr., Na’Kiya, Eric, and Eirsrick III. His life was cut tragically short, leaving a void in the lives of his parents, his brother Drew, and a large extended family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
The morning of Thursday, June 3, 2010, brought a devastating discovery in Akron’s Summit Lake neighborhood.
Around 7:15 a.m., Eirsrick was found unresponsive in the backyard of a residence at 230 Gale Street. Authorities were called to the scene and determined that he had died from a gunshot wound. The sudden and violent nature of his death sent a shockwave through his community and left his family reeling. The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his death as a homicide, launching a lengthy and frustrating investigation.
The Akron Police Department took the lead on the case, seeking to piece together the events that led to Eirsrick’s murder. Detectives canvassed the neighborhood and appealed to the public for information, but the case proved difficult from the start. Over the years, despite their efforts, no suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made. The specific circumstances of the shooting and the motive behind it remain unknown, deepening the pain for his family who are still without answers or justice.
In the days following his death, Eirsrick's family and friends gathered to mourn their loss. A funeral service was held on Tuesday, June 8, 2010, at the St. Ashworth Temple C.O.G.I.C., where Pastor Arthur C. Walker officiated. He was laid to rest at Glendale Cemetery in Akron. The family received an outpouring of support from the community, with many sharing memories and offering condolences. The grief for Eirsrick has been a lasting one; he was listed as a predeceased son in the 2024 obituary for his mother, Yvonne Travis-Tyson, a testament to the enduring sorrow of her loss.
More than a decade later, the investigation into Eirsrick Scruggs's murder remains open but cold. His case is listed on the Ohio Attorney General's Unsolved Homicides database, a public reminder that his killer has never been held accountable. The Akron Police Department continues to house the case file, hoping that a new lead, a change of heart, or a newly discovered piece of evidence might one day break the silence.
The passage of time has not diminished the family's hope for justice. Law enforcement officials periodically revisit the case, encouraging anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. The Ohio Attorney General's office provides a platform for submitting tips regarding this and other cold cases. Anyone with knowledge about the shooting death of Eirsrick Scruggs is urged to contact the Akron Police Department or submit a tip through the Attorney General's website. For a family still waiting for closure, any new information could be the key to finally solving this heartbreaking case.
