Cleveland, OH

Dad-to-be shot, killed on 19th birthday in Cleveland

Published

11 months ago

April 14, 2025

Dad-to-be shot, killed on 19th birthday in Cleveland

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 19-year-old man was shot and killed on East 55th near Cobleigh Court at around 7:10 p.m. Friday has been identified as Jauquim Torres.

Torres was walking home to celebrate his birthday on April 11 when he was shot and left to die on a sidewalk. Cleveland EMS tells 19 News Torres was pronounced dead at the scene.

On Sunday, his family and close friends gathered at a memorial set up in the spot where he took his last breath.

Torres’s sister, Jamie Hloska, was distraught, angry, and determined to get justice. She used paint to write on the sidewalk the words, ‘You still matter.’

“They robbed him of his life. He can’t be the father to his child. All he had to do was graduate and become a father. He didn’t get to meet his child,” Hloska said.

At just 19 years old, Torres of Cleveland had his entire life ahead of him. Now his loved ones say instead of celebrating his birthday, they are forced to plan his funeral.

His grandmother, Edith Ellis, through tear-filled eyes said he was her heart.

“Oh, he was so excited about his child, so excited. He was also excited about graduating and walking across the stage to receive his diploma next month,” said Ellis. “Now there’s no graduation, and he’ll never see his child. For what? There’s no reason.”

For Daniela Jones, the mother of his child, who is five-and-a-half months pregnant, this is a nightmare she can’t wake up from. What she was looking forward to has been taken away.

“Getting the chance to see him be a father is what I will miss most,” said Jones. “He was so excited about it. It’s not something planned. He had already picked a name before we knew the gender.”

Family and friends gathered around the memorial of candles and balloons to hold hands and pray.

“Father God, we ask you to give us justice. We ask you to give him peace,” they said.

Through their tears and long embraces, loved ones are demanding justice for Torres.

“I have to put my brother in the ground,” said Hloska.

The Cleveland man’s loved ones, including his sister, told 19 News they believe the killer is someone Juaquim Torres knew and trusted.

“He did what he was supposed to — he didn’t deserve this,” said Hloska.

Torres, according to his grandmother, was someone who absolutely loved his family, and ironically, it’s his death that has finally brought them all together.

“I’ve tried for years to get them together. They won’t even talk to each other, half of them. It took my grandson’s death to bring this family together. Everybody loved him, so everybody pulled together,” Ellis said.

The victim’s family has set up a GoFundMe account, hoping to raise enough money to give Torres a proper funeral and burial.

They are hoping police detectives can provide them with some answers about what led up to the deadly shooting.

At this point, no arrests have been made.

19 News has reached out to Cleveland Police for more information, but we have not yet heard back.

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Published

11 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.

The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)

Brooklyn Nets

Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.

But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.

The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.

Brooklyn Nets Preview

Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.

Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.

The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).

Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet

Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.

Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers -11.5 (-110)

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Cleveland, OH

14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition after being shot at a home Friday.

Police said around 7:15 p.m., officers from the Fifth District got a call for someone shot in the 1400 block of Lakeview Road.

When officers got on scene, a 14-year-old girl was found suffering from a gunshot wound.

Cleveland EMS took her to a nearby hospital, where she is listed in critical condition

A gun was recovered at the scene.

The incident remains under active investigation.

Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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Cleveland, OH

Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Former co-owner of the legendary Cleveland restaurant Sokolowski’s University Inn has died.

Michael Sokolowski(WOIO)

65-year-old Michael Sokolowski passed away on Tuesday, according to his obituary.

Established in Tremont in 1923, Sokolowski’s University Inn was Cleveland’s oldest family-owned and operated restaurant. It was a recipient of the prestigious James Beard “American Classics” Award in 2014. It closed it doors for good in 2020.

Read Obit below

MICHAEL PAUL SOKOLOWSKI, age 65; passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee McCue); loving father of George McDougall (Erika) and Sara; grandfather of Nicole and Emerson; Son of the late Bernard Sr. and Marion (nee Szwejkowski); dear brother of Bernard Jr. (Mary) and Mary Lou Balbier (Ronald); loving brother-in-law, uncle and dear friend of many. Mike was the co-owner of Sokolowski’s University Inn, a Cleveland landmark restaurant since 1923 and a James Beard Award winner. He played baseball and football for Cleveland Central Catholic and graduated from Otterbein University. Michael was a member of the Greater Cleveland Umpire Association, officiating many Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camps. He loved cooking and taught classes at the Polaris Career Center for their community culinary arts program. Mike loved music, attending many concerts, and playing drums in bands and for his parish church masses. Former President of the Cleveland Society of Poles and a member of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Cleveland Central Catholic High School, 6550 Baxter Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105.

Mass of Christian burial at St. John Cantius Catholic Church, 906 College Ave, Cleveland, Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 12 noon. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends received at the church, Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 noon.

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