AKRON, Ohio — A 47-year-old mother and her 12-year-old son are dead, and a 28-year-old man is facing felony charges after a shooting in Akron Saturday night, according to Akron Police Lt. Michael Murphy.
Murphy said multiple 911 calls came in at approximately 8:10 p.m. to report a shooting, including a call from a 49-year-old woman who said she fled the scene after she was shot at by the suspect.
The woman later provided detectives with information that led to the identification of the 28-year-old suspect, Brandon T. Casto. He faces two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault, the lieutenant said.
Officers responded to the area of 30 West Wilbeth Rd., across the street from Firestone Stadium, near Firestone's corporate campus. When they arrived, they found a car that had crashed into a tree on Hemlock Street, just south of West Wilbeth, Murphy said.
According to the lieutenant, the car was partially on fire and officers found 12-year-old Jericho L. Mangual inside, wounded by a gunshot. He was pronounced dead on the scene.
His 47-year-old mother, Tania Mangual, who was the driver, was also shot and taken to Cleveland Clinic Akron General Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries, Murphy said.
The woman's 2-year-old son was also in the car, and although uninjured, was taken to Akron Children's Hospital out of precaution, Murphy said.
A News 5 crew was on the scene Saturday night and saw a tow truck leave with a large SUV attached. The SUV had front-end damage and shattered windows.
On Sunday, News 5 spoke with a man by the name of Sonny who lives about a block from the crime scene.
Sonny said he heard multiple gunshots Saturday night.
"Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop," Sonny said, describing what he heard. "As I was coming out, I seen a truck right there. It started going up in flames and everything. And on my way going to work, you know, I seen the police coming down the street and everything."
Akron Chief of Police Brian Harding said Major Crimes Unit and Crime Scene Unit detectives processed the scene. Detectives executed a search warrant at an apartment connected to Casto and found multiple firearms, firearm accessories, and a large collection of ammunition.
According to Murphy, the investigation progressed, and detectives learned that Casto had contacted friends and indicated he might flee Akron. APD detectives then coordinated with the Meigs County Sheriff's Office, where Casto later turned himself in.
He is being held at the Southeast Regional Jail in Nelsonville, Ohio.
Baberton City Schools Superintendent shared a message for students and faculty Sunday evening:
The Barberton City Schools family is saddened to learn of the tragic news involving the Mangual family. Although the District is on Spring Break next week, we want our Barberton City Schools and Barberton Middle School families to know that counseling services and support will be available for any students or staff who may need assistance during this difficult time.
Members of the Barberton Community Wellness Collaborative, along with school staff, will be available on Tuesday, March 31, and Wednesday, April 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Barberton Middle School.
Our thoughts are with the Mangual family and all those impacted by this heartbreaking situation.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik released a statement Sunday afternoon regarding the incident:
Harding also released a statement about Saturday night's shooting:
“This senseless act of violence left a mother and her 12-year-old son dead and has deeply impacted our community. Tragedies like this extend far beyond those directly involved and affect people throughout Akron. These types of calls are amongst the most difficult our officers face. I commend our officers for their coordinated response and dedication which contributed to quickly identifying the suspect.
Our detectives worked quickly to develop leads, secure critical evidence, and coordinated with the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office to bring Casto into custody. We will work with the Summit County Prosecutor’s Office to ensure that we continue to hold people accountable for committing acts of violent crime in our community.”
News 5's Kaylee Olivas stopped by the Mangual home Sunday night and spoke with a handful of neighbors who had nothing but kind words to share about both Tania and Jericho.
One family who didn't want to go on camera described Jericho as respectful, kind, and smart. A young boy who called Jericho his best friend said he would be extremely missed.
Another neighbor who worked with Tania said she was always helpful and was someone she deeply trusted in the neighborhood, having lived next door to her for almost a decade.
A GoFundMe has been created by Tania's mother to help with funeral expenses and bringing them both home to New York.
"I am raising funds for my daughter and grandson, who were tragically killed due to gun violence. This unimaginable loss has left our family devastated, and we are struggling to cope with the emotional and financial burdens that have come with it. My daughter and grandson meant everything to me, and their absence has created a void that can never be filled," Tania's mother, Iris Cardona-Andino, wrote on GoFundMe.
Cardona-Andino said the costs are overwhelming.
"I want to give them the dignity and love they deserve in their final farewell. Your support will help ease some of the financial strain during this incredibly difficult time, allowing us to focus on honoring their memory and finding a way forward," she wrote.
If you'd like to donate, click HERE.
