CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The family of the 26-year-old man who was killed in a shooting involving an off-duty Cleveland Police officer released a statement Friday morning.

On Wednesday night, at about 8 p.m., Cleveland Police officers responded to the parking lot near 1435-1451 East Boulevard for a reported shooting.

When police arrived, they found the victim suffering from gunshot wounds. Officers provided first aid until Cleveland EMS arrived and transported the man to University Hospitals, where he was pronounced dead.

He was later identified as Akili Hammond. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner has ruled his death a homicide, with the cause determined to be multiple gunshot wounds.

Police said a group was arguing when the situation escalated and gunshots were fired. The 22-year-old off-duty officer was at the scene when the shooting occurred.

Scanner traffic captured the moment officers discovered one of their own was involved.

Police found a gun at the apartments that they believe belongs to the victim.

Below is the statement Hammond’s family released:

Investigation underway

The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation. The initial investigation revealed shots were fired by multiple individuals, including the off-duty officer.

According to the Cleveland Division of Police, the off-duty officer appeared not to be acting in an official law enforcement capacity at the time of the shooting. The officer was not injured.

“We are deeply concerned by the circumstances surrounding this incident and the actions of the individuals involved,” Cleveland Police said. “The Cleveland Division of Police holds its members to a high standard, both on and off duty.”

The investigation remains active. Police said more information will be released when it is available.

EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A lot that used to be filled with trash is now clear. A street covered in potholes now has fresh asphalt.

A woman living across the street says the improvements on Potomac Avenue came a few weeks after a story from 19 News.

Trucks arrived at the beginning of May to clean out the lot.

“It’s not at all the same, not at all the same.”

Maldria, who grew up on the street, said the recent work gives her hope, after watching the area fall into disrepair for so long.

“It’s a good feeling, maybe the city is coming back. I see a lot of rebuilding,” she said.

Grass is growing where trash used to fill lots.

Patches have smoothed out the road.

But Maldria said abandoned houses still break her heart.

“Hopefully, in the next two to five years we see a difference. I’m praying that we do, I see a difference; it’s coming back slowly but surely,” she said.

Residents want cleanup to expand

She and others living in the area are hoping the work extends one street over to Northfield Avenue.

Following reporting from 19 News, potholes on that street were patched last month, but piles of trash continue to grow.

Large pieces of garbage are threatening to fall onto the sidewalk and road.

Tires are stacked in piles.

Road conditions and abandoned houses remain on the list of concerns residents want addressed.

When asked what it would mean to see not just one street but a neighborhood cleaned up, Maldria said it would be almost like a dream.

“Oh my God, I mean it would be unbelievable, almost like a dream you know?” she said.

19 News reached out to the city’s line for reporting illegal dumping took down the area information and said it would be forwarded to the director and the mayor’s office.

(WJW) — A statewide sex sting coordinated by Attorney General Dave Yost’s office led to the arrests of one current and one former Cleveland firefighter on prostitution charges.

Dozens of law enforcement agencies across Ohio between May 13 and May 20 collaborated on Operation Spring Cleaning, which led to 122 human trafficking arrests in 15 counties, according to a news release from the AG’s office.

Of those, 38 people were arrested on felony charges for allegedly trying to meet with undercover officers posing as minors for sex. Another 84 “johns” were caught dealing with prostitutes, authorities allege.

The investigation also identified 42 human trafficking survivors, who were referred to health care and social services organizations.

Search warrants executed at 15 Ohio massage parlors suspected of offering illegal services — in Akron, Grafton, Willoughby and elsewhere — yielded $120,000 in forfeitures and other evidence.

Cuyahoga, Lake, Mahoning and Trumbull counties

The Northeast Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force arrested seven people and executed a search warrant at a local spa.

• The search warrant was at Oriental Spa, 37812 Vine St., Willoughby, where the task force seized $20,000 in cash as part of an ongoing investigation.

• The task force arrested Jason Petrov, 57, of Brooklyn, and Patrick Moner, 63, of Cleveland, each on a count of engaging in prostitution. Petrov is an active Cleveland firefighter and Moner is a retired Cleveland firefighter, according to the AG’s office.

• Dustin Crowder, 41, of Georgia, and Jeffrey Murphy, 53, of Lyndhurst, both believed they were meeting with juveniles for sex, according to the AG’s office. The task force arrested both on charges of compelling prostitution and possessing criminal tools.

• The task force arrested Michael Pavlov, 29, of Newton Falls, on charges of rape and endangering children in a case involving a 6-year-old.

• The task force arrested Jeffrey Villanueva, 56, of Niles, and Jeff Anders, 55, of Boardman, on charges of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, importuning and possessing criminal tools.

• The task force also secured the indictment of Misti McKinney, 38, of Youngstown, on charges of trafficking in persons, promoting prostitution, soliciting, robbery, retaliation and others. McKinney is accused of coercing victims as young as 17 into prostitution, as reported by FOX 8 sister station 27 First News.

Huron, Erie, Ashland and Lorain counties

The H.E.A.L. Human Trafficking Task Force made one arrest, executed one search warrant at a local spa and identified three human trafficking survivors who were referred to social services. They also seized $18,622 in cash.

• The task force raided King Me Spa, 35111 Royalton Road, Grafton.

• The task force arrested Mesha Michael Savi, 33, of Carlisle Township, on a charge of pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor.

Medina and Summit counties

The Summit Regional Human Trafficking Task Force charged three people with sex charges relating to minors and raided a spa.

• The task force executed a search warrant at La Lune Spa, 102 Western Ave., Akron.

• The task force charged Izaeik Groos, 24, of Akron; Jordan Novak, 38, of Euclid; and Tyrell Taylor, 38, of Akron, each with importuning and attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

84 ‘Johns’ charged

Of the 84 “Johns” caught during the operation allegedly trying to buy sex, nearly 50 were from Northeast Ohio. See the full list of arrests below:

Yost’s office has conducted eight large-scale human trafficking busts since 2019, which have resulted in more than 1,000 arrests, according to the AG’s office.