Suspect surrenders in 'senseless' Akron shooting of mom, 12-year-old

Brandon Casto charged with two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault

Mar. 30, 2026 at 3:22pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered car window glass reflecting a faint red light, conveying the stark, gritty aftermath of a violent crime scene.The aftermath of a violent shooting exposes the fragility of life and the urgent need for community-based solutions to address gun violence.Akron Today

A 28-year-old man has been charged with the fatal shootings of a 47-year-old woman and her 12-year-old son in Akron, Ohio. Brandon T. Casto surrendered to authorities in southeastern Ohio after the Saturday night incident that also left a 2-year-old child unharmed.

Why it matters

The shooting has deeply impacted the Akron community, with the police chief calling it a 'senseless act of violence.' The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to determine the relationship between the suspect and the victims.

The details

Police were called to the area of 30 West Wilbeth Road around 8:10 p.m. on Saturday after receiving multiple 911 calls, including one from a 49-year-old woman who reported being shot at. When officers arrived, they found a vehicle that had crashed into a tree line on Hemlock Street, just south of West Wilbeth Road. The vehicle was partially on fire. Inside, officers located 12-year-old Jericho Mangual, who had suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. His mother, 47-year-old Tania Mangual, had also been shot and was transported to a hospital where she later died. A 2-year-old boy, also Tania Mangual's son, was in the vehicle at the time but was not injured.

  • On Saturday around 8:10 p.m., Akron police received multiple 911 calls about the shooting incident.
  • Jericho Mangual was pronounced dead at the scene.
  • Tania Mangual was transported to a hospital where she later died.

The players

Brandon T. Casto

A 28-year-old man who has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault in connection with the shooting.

Tania Mangual

A 47-year-old woman who was shot and killed in the incident.

Jericho L. Mangual

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

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What they’re saying

“These types of calls are amongst the most difficult our officers face. I commend our officers for their coordinated response and dedication which contributed to quickly identifying the suspect.”

— Brian Harding, Akron Police Chief

“My thoughts are with their loved ones during this unimaginable time. I am grateful the infant present was not physically harmed and thankful to our police and fire personnel for their swift response.”

— Shammas Malik, Akron Mayor

What’s next

Detectives did not provide information on the relationship between Casto and Tania Manguel. The investigation remains active as authorities continue to probe into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The takeaway

This tragic shooting has deeply impacted the Akron community, highlighting the need for continued efforts to address gun violence and support families affected by such senseless acts of violence.