1,547 shootings recorded near Cleveland schools since 2017

Cleveland public schools recorded 1,547 shootings within a 500-yard radius between 2017 and 2025, according to data compiled by The Trace. This figure represents an annual average of nearly 172 incidents per year across the city.

The data reveals a concentrated pattern of violence affecting specific educational institutions. East Tech High School ranked third among Cleveland schools for the frequency of nearby shootings, with 56 incidents recorded in the 2017 to 2025 period. The city as a whole posted the second-highest annual rate of shootings near schools when compared to 31 similar-sized cities.

A cluster of fatalities occurred within a five-month window in 2022 and 2023. Devonte Johnson was shot and killed near Glenville High School in August 2022. One month later, Andre Wells was killed near Rhodes High School. Pierre McCoy was killed at a bus stop outside John Adams in January 2023.

Kareem Smith, a member of The Safety Unit, leads a violence prevention team that operates outside East Tech High School before and after school hours. Smith noted that the team works to build rapport with students and mentor them to prevent conflicts. "For the most part, the school is a safe place, but the neighborhood isn’t," Smith said.

Dr. Lisa Ramirez, a child psychologist at MetroHealth, explained that repeated exposure to gun violence disrupts students' ability to focus in the classroom. "If you’re worrying in math class as you’re sitting there and worrying about is everybody okay, is everybody safe or thinking about that walk home from school, that’s going to impact your focus of that problem that’s in front of you," Ramirez said. She stated that protective factors such as strong friendships and trusted adults can help children withstand repeated exposure.

Anita Deal, whose family has suffered multiple losses, described the long-term impact of the violence on her household. Three of her sons were shot and killed over four years, including her youngest son Maurco, who was 13. "My entire family has been shattered," Deal said. She noted that family members are currently receiving therapy and psychiatric care to manage their grief.

Smith described the work of his team as an effort to stay ahead of potential issues while students travel to and from school. "They build a rapport with the students to gain trust, and they just try to mentor them while they’re out here and stay ahead of any drama," Smith said. The data from The Trace provides a baseline for these localized prevention efforts in Cuyahoga County.