2 teenagers injured in shooting in Parma; suspect in custody

PARMA, Ohio (WOIO) – Two teenage cousins were taken to the hospital with gunshot wounds Friday night after an “unprovoked” shooting in Parma.

According to a Parma Police report, officers responded to the area of West Ridgewood Drive, west of Ridge Road, for a report of shots fired.

While officers were checking the area, dispatchers received a call from one of the victims saying both he and his cousin had been shot, according to the release.

A 19-year-old man was shot in the left arm and his 18-year-old cousin was shot in the left thigh, Parma Police said.

Police said the teenagers had gunshot wounds and that their injuries were not life-threatening.

According to the two cousins, they did not know the assailant and the incident appeared to be unprovoked, police said.

The teenagers told police they were walking on the north side of West Ridgewood Drive while the suspect was walking in the opposite direction.

According to the release, the man started yelling at the teenagers before firing three shots at the cousins.

As the officer checked the area, they found 3 9mm shell casings.

From witness statements, officers obtained a detailed description of the suspect, according to the release.

Police later located the 23-year-old suspect at the RTA Transit Center on Day Drive.

Officers also found a loaded 9mm handgun along the path from the scene of the shooting to the RTA station.

The 23-year-old from Cleveland is in custody but has not yet been charged, according to the release.