Visits: 5
Erika Miranda’s death was the first reported homicide in Cleveland in 2020.
A 38-year-old Ohio man was arrested for ringing in the new year by firing bullets that killed his girlfriend, police said.
Sheldon Stevens Jr. was taken into custody in Cleveland early Wednesday morning around 12:15 a.m. when shots were fired on the second floor of a home that struck his 31-year-old girlfriend.
When the ambulance went inside the Merrill Avenue house, Stevens was allegedly laying in the hallway on top of the victim, who had blood on her face, according to Cleveland Police Department records.
Stevens was arrested at the scene, police said.
The city’s medical examiner confirmed to ABC News Thursday that Erika Miranda was the victim of the shooting.
Stevens was charged with reckless homicide and police believe he may have been under the influence of alcohol, according to police records.
When officers reported to the scene, they learned Stevens was “popping off” rounds to celebrate the new year and at some point Miranda was shot, police said.
Investigators with the city’s homicide unit are leading the investigation.
Miranda’s death was one of 11 shootings that occurred in the city within a 9-hour span between New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Thirteen people in total, including Miranda, were shot in the incidents, police confirmed to ABC News.
Miranda’s death is the first homicide of the year for the city, according to police. The other shootings are still under investigation.
Miranda’s autopsy was scheduled for Thursday.
