Man in custody after mother and 12-year-old son killed in shooting: Akron Police

AKRON, Ohio (WOIO) – A mother and her 12-year-old son are dead after a shooting Saturday night near Firestone Stadium in Akron. A suspect is in custody.

Akron police responded to multiple 911 calls around 8:10 p.m. for a shooting near 30 West Wilbeth Road.

Officers found a car partially on fire that had crashed into the tree line on Hemlock Street south of West Wilbeth Road.

Inside the car, officers found 12-year-old Jericho L. Mangual, who had been shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene around 8:34 p.m.

The driver, 47-year-old Tania Mangual, the mother of the 12-year-old, had also been shot. She was taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center, where she died around 8:50 p.m.

A 2-year-old boy, also her son, was inside the car and was not injured. He was taken to Akron Children’s Hospital as a precaution.

Witness describes fiery crash

Jackie Travis, who lives across the street, watched police respond to the crash.

“It was on fire underneath and the engine was on fire,” Travis said.

Charred ground and branches mark where the car came to rest.

Suspect identified, turned himself in

Dispatchers received multiple 911 calls, including one from a 49-year-old woman who fled the scene after being shot. She provided detectives with information that helped identify the suspect as 28-year-old Brandon T. Casto.

Akron Police detectives executed a search warrant at an apartment connected to the suspect and found multiple firearms, firearm accessories and a large collection of ammunition.

Investigators learned that Casto told friends he was fleeing Akron. He turned himself in more than 100 miles away in Meigs County. He is currently being held at the Southeast Regional Jail in Nelsonville, facing two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault.

Police have not released a motive or Casto’s connection to the family.

A growing memorial now marks the spot where the car crashed. People who say they know the family left candles and a white teddy bear.

Akron Police Major Crimes Unit detectives are still examining the circumstances surrounding this incident, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau at 330-375-2490 or 330-375-2Tip.

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