Early Friday, gunfire struck Providence House's new East Campus on Buckeye Road during what police described as an apparent street takeover, damaging windows, interior and exterior walls, and a playground fence while staff sheltered children inside. Providence House said no children or staff were harmed, families were notified, and police report the scene is under active investigation.
What police reported
Officers responded to a ShotSpotter alert around 12:09 a.m. Friday near the 2800 block of East 118th Street and found several spent casings in the area. They checked Providence House’s East Campus at 11801 Buckeye Road for damage and determined that a single suspected bullet struck a window, damaging a shade and drywall inside. Security gates and fences also showed damage consistent with people fleeing, with no injuries reported, according to Cleveland 19.
Providence House's statement
In a statement to Cleveland 19, Providence House said, "Our children and staff are safe," explaining that gunfire hit the building and damaged windows and walls. The nonprofit said families were notified and thanked staff members who followed emergency protocols to keep children calm and to help them believe the commotion outside was only fireworks.
About the East Campus
Providence House opened the East Campus in 2025 to expand services on Cleveland’s east side, the site at 11801 Buckeye Road includes a 20-bed crisis nursery and a Family Resiliency Center, according to Providence House. Reporting from Ideastream Public Media notes that Providence House is among the largest crisis-nursery operators in the country and expanded to Buckeye-Shaker to better reach families on the east side. The new East Campus was built with safety features intended to protect children and staff, a design now tested by this weekend's violence.
Street takeovers and enforcement
Street takeovers, viral car meets that have blocked intersections and snarled traffic, have drawn sustained attention from city leaders after a string of incidents across the region. Cleveland police created a task force to analyze video and identify participants after recent events, News 5 Cleveland reports. Officials say investigators will review footage to hold drivers and others accountable where laws were broken, and public safety was put at risk.
Providence House said the damage will require repairs and likely additional protective enhancements, a costly prospect for a nonprofit that relies heavily on private donations. Leaders note the organization is nearly 80% privately funded and has sheltered tens of thousands of children and families over its roughly 45-year history, per Providence House. The investigation remains active, and police are asking anyone with information about the Fourth of July weekend incidents to contact investigators.
