Two men charged in connection with a 2025 drive-by shooting that killed an 18-year-old Cleveland driver have pleaded not guilty in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, setting the stage for a high-stakes murder case in the new year.
Waymon Donat, 20, of Mentor, and 21-year-old Cleveland resident Daveon Strozier entered their pleas on Monday and remain jailed on $1 million bonds. Prosecutors say the April 5, 2025, shooting claimed the life of 18-year-old Ricky Walker when a bullet struck his neck as he sat behind the wheel. Both men are presumed innocent as the case moves into the pretrial phase.
Court Hearing And Charges
During Monday’s arraignment, prosecutors told the court that Donat and Strozier face aggravated murder and related charges, according to Cleveland.com. The outlet reports that a Cuyahoga County grand jury added Strozier to the indictment on May 6, and that both men entered not guilty pleas at the hearing. Attorneys for Donat and Strozier declined to comment, the report states.
Shooting And Investigation
Police say the case began on April 5, 2025, when gunfire struck a driver in Cleveland’s Central neighborhood. Walker was pronounced dead at the scene.
As the investigation unfolded, WOIO/Cleveland 19 reported that the U.S. Marshals Service offered a reward in the search for Donat. Months later, WDTV reported that Donat was arrested in October 2025 in Preston County, West Virginia. Law enforcement officials described the case as a multi-agency effort that included the U.S. Marshals Service.
Evidence And Detention
According to Cleveland.com, investigators recovered two guns inside the vehicle where Walker was found. The outlet reports that Donat and Strozier are being held at the Cuyahoga County Corrections Center, each on a $1,000,000 bond. Prosecutors say the indictment includes aggravated murder counts along with other charges tied to the drive-by shooting.
Legal Status And Potential Penalties
Under Ohio law, aggravated murder is the state’s most serious homicide offense and, for adult defendants, can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty depending on the specific circumstances and any aggravating specifications. Those penalties and definitions are outlined in Ohio’s criminal statutes, including Ohio Revised Code §2903.01.
What Happens Next
The case will now wind its way through the standard pretrial process in Cuyahoga County. Prosecutors are expected to turn over evidence to the defense, while attorneys for Donat and Strozier can file motions and other legal challenges ahead of any trial.
For now, both men remain in custody at the county corrections center as the prosecutor’s office prepares additional filings and the court sets future hearing dates.
