Mother and Son Sentenced for Euclid Man's Murder

Carla Farona received 3 years, her son Christopher 21 years to life for roles in 2025 killing.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:54am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up of a single spent shell casing on a dark, textured surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the gritty details of a violent crime.A stark visual reminder of the tragic consequences of youth violence and the complex family dynamics that can fuel it.Euclid Today

A Painesville woman and her teenage son have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in the September 2025 shooting death of a 20-year-old Euclid man in Willoughby, Ohio. Christopher Farona, 16, was sentenced to 21 years to life for complicity to murder, robbery, assault, and other charges, while his mother Carla Farona received a 3-year sentence for tampering with evidence.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of youth violence and the complex family dynamics that can contribute to tragic outcomes. It also raises questions about the effectiveness of Ohio's criminal justice system in addressing violent crime and providing rehabilitation for juvenile offenders.

The details

Christopher Farona was tried as an adult and found guilty by a jury of complicity to murder, robbery, assault, and other charges related to the shooting death of Damonte Perry in Willoughby in September 2025. Carla Farona pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence in the case. Three other suspects - Vance Triplett, Antoine Graves, and Shamar Steel - are awaiting trial for their alleged roles in Perry's killing.

  • On March 6, 2025, Damonte Perry was shot around 4 p.m. near the Hamlets of Willoughby apartment complex.
  • In September 2025, Christopher Farona was found guilty by a jury.
  • In February 2026, Carla Farona pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence.
  • In March 2026, Christopher Farona was sentenced to 21 years to life in prison.
  • In April 2026, Carla Farona was sentenced to 3 years in prison.

The players

Christopher Farona

A 16-year-old Painesville resident who was tried as an adult and sentenced to 21 years to life in prison for his role in the murder of Damonte Perry.

Carla Farona

The 48-year-old mother of Christopher Farona who was sentenced to 3 years in prison for tampering with evidence in the case.

Damonte Perry

A 20-year-old Euclid man who was shot and killed in Willoughby in September 2025.

Vance Triplett

A 22-year-old Willoughby resident who was arrested in connection with Perry's death and is awaiting trial.

Antoine Graves

An 18-year-old Willoughby resident who was arrested in connection with Perry's death and is awaiting trial.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The three other suspects - Vance Triplett, Antoine Graves, and Shamar Steel - are awaiting trial for their alleged roles in Damonte Perry's killing.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for comprehensive approaches to address the root causes of youth violence, including mental health support, community-based interventions, and reforms to the juvenile justice system to provide more rehabilitation opportunities for young offenders.