A renewed push to solve the 2020 killing of a retired Cleveland firefighter now comes with a cash incentive. Officials and family members have announced a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest in the death of Wilbert McCormick, a Navy veteran who spent 30 years with the Cleveland Division of Fire. McCormick was struck by a stray bullet while walking with his wife on July 21, 2020, near Forest Hills Park in the Glenville neighborhood.
According to WOIO/Cleveland19, the reward announcement is part of a renewed appeal from the McCormick family and the Cleveland Division of Fire. Venita McCormick told the station, "I don't know how anyone can rest," as she again begged witnesses to speak up. Cleveland19 reports the couple had been crossing Arlington Road at Thornhill Drive when the shooting started. The station published its report today, and updated it shortly after.
How to tip
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 216-252-7463 or submit a web tip through the county's online portal, according to the Cuyahoga County Crime Stoppers unsolved-homicides page. The Crime Stoppers listing for McCormick notes that tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward and that callers can remain anonymous. The listing was updated during the department's renewed outreach in 2025 and still appears on the unsolved-homicides page. Investigators have pointed people to the tip line as the main channel for turning over video, photos, or other leads.
What happened
On the night of July 21, 2020, McCormick and his wife were out for an evening walk when gunfire broke out, and cars in a nearby parking lot began speeding away, investigators told News 5 Cleveland. McCormick, described by investigators as an innocent bystander, was shot in the head and later died at a hospital. Detectives have repeatedly asked for any cellphone video or dash-cam footage from that night that might help identify the vehicles and people involved. The Division of Fire held a media event in 2025 to renew public appeals for information, the station reported.
Family's plea and past losses
For the McCormick family, the killing dredged up a painful history. Their son, Lennell McCormick, died in a separate hit-and-run that also remains unsolved, a case that is likewise listed on the Cuyahoga County Crime Stoppers unsolved-homicides page. Local reporting and past coverage of their repeated appeals for answers documented how the family has gone public again and again. Relatives have told reporters they hope the reward will finally convince someone to break the silence. McCormick's wife and extended family say they are still grieving and want justice in both unsolved deaths.
Officials and McCormick's relatives say even a small detail could unlock the case, and they are urging anyone who has video or a clear memory from that night to come forward. According to WOIO/Cleveland19, detectives are still reviewing leads and welcome anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers. The family is asking anyone who knows something to call 216-252-7463 so they can finally get answers and try to move forward.
