Two Shootings Occur Minutes Apart in Cleveland Neighborhood

Police investigating separate incidents of self-inflicted gunshot and drive-by shooting

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:35am

An extreme close-up photograph of a spent bullet casing on the ground, the harsh flash lighting creating a stark, gritty aesthetic that conveys the serious, investigative nature of the crime scene.The aftermath of gun violence leaves behind physical evidence that police must meticulously examine to uncover the truth.Clifton Today

Within a 30-minute span, two separate shooting incidents occurred in the Clifton neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio. The first incident involved a man who shot himself in the face at an apartment complex, while the second incident was a drive-by shooting near the intersection of Cove and Clifton, with witnesses reporting seeing teens or young men firing from a car.

Why it matters

Gun violence and public safety are ongoing concerns in many urban neighborhoods. These two incidents, occurring in close proximity and time, highlight the need for continued efforts to address the root causes of gun crime and improve community-police relations.

The details

In the first incident, police responded around 10:30 pm to a call of a man who had shot himself in the face at the Wessex Apartment complex on West Clifton. The man was conscious and transported to a nearby trauma center. Thirty minutes later, police received reports of gunshots near the intersection of Cove and Clifton. Witnesses described seeing teens or young men firing from a car before fleeing into a nearby CVS or apartment building. Police found shell casings and bullet holes in parked cars, and are currently following up on leads and reviewing security footage.

  • Around 10:30 pm, police responded to a self-inflicted gunshot incident at the Wessex Apartment complex on West Clifton.
  • Thirty minutes later, police received reports of a drive-by shooting near the intersection of Cove and Clifton.

The players

Wessex Apartment complex

An apartment building located on West Clifton in the Clifton neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio.

CVS

A pharmacy and retail chain store located near the intersection of Cove and Clifton in Cleveland, Ohio.

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What’s next

Police are continuing to investigate both incidents, follow up on leads, and review security footage to identify the individuals involved in the drive-by shooting.

The takeaway

These two separate shooting incidents, occurring in close proximity and time, underscore the ongoing challenges of gun violence and public safety that many urban neighborhoods face. Addressing the root causes of gun crime and improving community-police relations will be crucial to improving safety in the Clifton area.