Kevonne Howze

Kevonne Howze, a 28-year-old Black man from Cincinnati, Ohio, had just celebrated his birthday a week before his life was taken. Born in Cleveland on April 25, 1995, he entered eternal rest on Monday, May 1, 2023, in Cincinnati.

The events that led to his death began around 11:30 a.m. that morning. Investigators reported that Howze and another man, Nolan Garrett, had an argument about a woman at a nearby apartment building. The dispute escalated, and Garrett allegedly chased Howze from the building while firing a gun. Howze was shot seven times and collapsed in the parking lot of a Taco Bell at the intersection of Highland Avenue and East McMillan Street in the Corryville neighborhood. Cincinnati Fire Department personnel rushed him to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, but he died from his injuries.

The Cincinnati Police Department Homicide Unit immediately began its investigation. At the scene, they recovered a vape pen, and DNA found on it led them to identify Nolan Garrett as the suspect. In a swift operation the following day, May 2, 2023, the CPD's Fugitive Apprehension Unit, with assistance from the Union Township Police Department, arrested the 21-year-old Garrett and charged him with murder.

On May 20, 2024, Hamilton County Judge Jennifer Branch found Nolan Garrett guilty of murder, felonious assault, and having weapons under disability. He was found not guilty of a tampering with evidence charge. Garrett appeared before Judge Branch again for sentencing on July 8, 2024. He was sentenced to serve 24 years to life in prison. The sentence consisted of 15 years to life for murder, with an additional nine years for firearms specifications and the other convictions. The case was closed as of July 2024.