Gunshots in the parking lot of the Marc’s anchored Lakewood City Center brought a fast police response yesterday afternoon, after witnesses reported a shootout between two men outside the busy plaza. Officers arrived as the area was clearing out and, after an initial sweep, located evidence they say is still being processed.
What police said
According to Lakewood police, officers were dispatched to the City Center lot at 14861 Detroit Avenue at 3:38 p.m. after receiving multiple calls about shots fired. Witnesses told officers that two men were shooting at each other, then took off in separate vehicles before police arrived. Investigators recovered two shell casings, and there were no immediate reports of anyone being hit, according to Cleveland 19.
Where it happened and residents' accounts
The shooting unfolded in the plaza at 14861 Detroit Avenue, which is anchored by Marc’s, according to property listings for Lakewood City Center, as per Phillips Edison. In a neighborhood discussion thread, nearby residents and shoppers said they heard gunfire, and some commenters reported being inside the store when it happened, those posts have not been independently verified on Reddit. The thread captured several eyewitness-style accounts along with snippets of scanner chatter about the police response.
Investigation and how to help
Police say the investigation remains active, with detectives working through witness statements and looking for any available surveillance footage from the plaza and surrounding area. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Lakewood Police Department’s non-emergency line or send tips through the city’s Police-2-Citizen portal, contact options are listed on the department website, according to the Lakewood Police Department. The report that investigators recovered two shell casings and had no reports of victims at the scene was first shared by local media as the case unfolded, according to Cleveland 19.
How this fits in
The shooting comes on the heels of other gun violence in Lakewood that has kept officers and detectives busy. Earlier this week, a shooting at Madison Park left an 18-year-old critically wounded and led to arrests, according to News 5 Cleveland, which reported that nearby basketball courts were temporarily closed while detectives followed leads. City officials have urged residents to stay alert and to share any footage or tips that might help identify those involved in recent incidents.
