Suspect in Slaying of Woman and Her 12-Year-Old Son in Custody

Brandon Casto charged with two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault in the deaths of Tania Mangual and her son Jericho.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 1:38am

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A 28-year-old suspect named Brandon Casto has been arrested and charged with two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault in the shooting deaths of a 47-year-old woman, Tania Mangual, and her 12-year-old son, Jericho Mangual, in Akron, Ohio. Casto surrendered to authorities in southeast Ohio after the incident, which also left Tania's 2-year-old son unharmed.

Why it matters

This tragic incident has deeply impacted the Akron community, with the police chief and mayor expressing heartbreak over the senseless violence that claimed the lives of a mother and her young son. The case has raised concerns about public safety and the need to confront violence head-on.

The details

According to police, the shooting occurred around 8:10 pm on Saturday near 30 W. Wilbeth Road in the Firestone Park neighborhood of Akron. Tania Mangual was driving a vehicle that crashed into a tree and caught fire, with Jericho Mangual found dead in the backseat from a gunshot wound. Tania was taken to the hospital but died of her wounds. A 49-year-old woman who ran from the scene identified Casto as the suspect, and police say he had contacted friends and planned to leave the Akron area before turning himself in at the Meigs County Sheriff's Office.

  • The shooting occurred around 8:10 pm on Saturday, March 29, 2026.
  • Casto surrendered at the Meigs County Sheriff's Office after the incident.

The players

Brandon Casto

A 28-year-old suspect who has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault in the deaths of Tania Mangual and her son Jericho.

Tania Mangual

A 47-year-old woman who was killed in the shooting incident along with her 12-year-old son Jericho.

Jericho Mangual

Tania Mangual's 12-year-old son who was killed in the shooting incident.

Brian Harding

The Akron Police Chief who expressed heartbreak over the tragedy and commended officers for their response.

Shammas Maliky

The Mayor of Akron who described the incident as a 'devastating act of violence' and said the city will continue to confront violence head-on.

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What they’re saying

“This senseless act of violence left a mother and her 12-year-old son dead and has deeply impacted our community. Tragedies like this extend far beyond those directly involved and affect people throughout Akron.”

— Brian Harding, Akron Police Chief

“I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of a 47-year-old woman and her 12-year-old son in this devastating act of violence. My thoughts are with their loved ones during this unimaginable time and I am grateful the infant present was not physically harmed.”

— Shammas Maliky, Mayor of Akron

“I am glad that the perpetrator of these murders has been arrested and charged. We owe it to the victims in this shooting, and to the victims in all violent incidents, to confront the evils of violence head on and that is what we will continue to do.”

— Shammas Maliky, Mayor of Akron

What’s next

Prosecutors will continue building the case against Brandon Casto, who is being held on charges of aggravated murder and felonious assault. The investigation is ongoing to determine the motive behind the shooting.

The takeaway

This tragic incident has shaken the Akron community and highlighted the need to address the root causes of violence in order to prevent such senseless acts from occurring in the future. The city's leaders have vowed to confront violence head-on and support the victims' loved ones during this unimaginable time.