Five months after their 17-year-old son was gunned down on Cleveland’s West Side, Aiesha and Quennell Gardner say they are still stuck in limbo, waiting for an arrest, a suspect, even a clear update. Their son, Josiah Gardner, was shot and killed on Oct. 5, 2025, near Gilmore Avenue and West 131st Street, and the family says contact from investigators has felt painfully slow. The Gardners say the uncertainty has made it nearly impossible to grieve, and they are urging anyone who knows anything to speak up.
Homicide Probe Still Active, but No Arrest
Cleveland police told reporters the shooting happened around 8:45 p.m., when an unknown person approached a group and opened fire, hitting Josiah in the chest. “The victim and possibly other individuals were in the area when an unknown individual made contact with them and fired shots,” Sgt. Freddy Diaz said. Investigators said no arrests have been made and the case remains an active homicide investigation, as reported by News 5 Cleveland.
Obituary and Memorials
Funeral listings identify the teen as Josiah Jayden Gardner and list Oct. 5, 2025, as the date of death, with services handled by Calhoun Funeral Home. Online remembrance pages, including a memorial listing at GunMemorial, have collected messages and virtual candles in his honor. For details on services and arrangements, the family directed mourners to Calhoun Funeral Home.
Parents Plead for Tips
Josiah’s parents told reporters they believe the investigation has dragged and that they have had to repeatedly call police themselves for updates. “I feel like they’re not doing enough,” Quennell said. Aiesha added that “sometimes we don’t even feel safe in our home” while a suspect remains at large. Their comments and public plea for information were detailed by News 5 Cleveland.
Where This Fits Locally
The Gardners’ frustration is not unique in Northeast Ohio, where families have publicly pushed for answers in long-running and unsolved homicide cases. A Cleveland19 “Seeking Justice” series has documented how cold cases and slow-moving investigations have left relatives desperate for follow-up and transparency from law enforcement. That reporting highlights how community tips and cellphone video can be the difference between a stalled case and one that police can actually solve. Officials say even small details can matter.
Cleveland police say detectives remain committed to identifying suspects and are continuing to follow leads. Investigators are asking anyone with information to contact the department. The Gardners say they are clinging to the hope that a neighbor, passerby, or someone with video footage will finally come forward with what is needed to bring closure to Josiah’s loved ones.
