EUCLID, Ohio — The shooting death of a 17-year-old Glenville football player is being called senseless.
Te'Vion Cunningham was found with a gunshot wound near Seabrooke Avenue and East 222nd Street in Euclid on Friday evening.
He was transported to the hospital and died later.
Just days after Cunningham’s death, Cleveland City Councilman Mike Polensek made a point Monday to visit the Ginn Academy and Glenville Football Coach Ted Ginn, Sr.
“When I walked into the school this morning, the Ginn Academy, I see all these young men who are trying to succeed who are trying to get ahead and here we are — we lose another one for no apparent reason,” Polensek said.
Cleveland Metropolitan School District confirmed the death of one of its students and expressed condolences through a statement.
"We were made aware of the unfortunate passing of Te’Vion Cunningham over the weekend. We extend our deepest condolences on this tragic loss. Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time, and we respect their privacy during this ongoing investigation."
“It was somber. It was somber but yet positive, because they know what they have to do. They have to continue to help kids they have to continue to help kids succeed in life,” Polensek said.
Cunningham played football for Glenville, which just celebrated back-to-back championships.
The Tarblooders social media post shared the news about his death, pointing to gun violence.
“...he was a good student, he was a good kid. He was working at Lincoln Electric part-time," Polensek said.
Euclid police haven’t released any details to News 5 Investigators.
A 911 caller told dispatch about a person collapsing between houses on Seabrooke Avenue and that he thought the person was shot.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office says Cunningham died within minutes after he was brought to the hospital from Seabrooke Avenue and East 222nd Street.
“So now his family is forced to live a life without him to adapt to a new normal,” said Yvonne Pointer, a community activist with Voices of Black Mothers United.
In 2022, Pointer spent time with Ginn Academy students when they took a pledge to prevent gun violence.
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News 5 asked what her message was then.
“It was the same message we’re saying now. Guns kill don’t use guns,” Pointer said.
Pointer says you have to continuously preach to put the guns down.
We asked if it was that easy.
“Well, we might make it more complicated than what it is — maybe it is just that easy,” Pointer said.
Coach Ted Ginn spoke with News 5 in 2022 about how more support was needed for young people after another football player was shot and killed near Glenville High School.
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"We have to teach them it's the hardest thing to look down on children young kids who've lost their life to gun violence,” Ted Ginn, Sr. said.
Polsensek says this level of violence in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County by a small group of young people is unacceptable.
“We’ve got to try to collectively figure out especially with these young men that are involved in this violence the perpetrators you know what’s brought them to this point,” Polensek said.
Cunningham's family issued the following statement about his death:
"With heavy hearts The Cunningham and Hill family acknowledges the passing of our beloved Te’Vion Rondale Cunningham.
Te’Vion was an excellent young man, not perfect but excellence doesn’t require perfection. He attended Ginn Academy and New Beginnings Driving school.
Te’Vion had an internship at Lincoln Electric, he played on the Glenville High Schools football team which recently won back to back championships. He also played on the basketball team.
He had an incredible sense of humor and an infectious smile. He will be truly missed.
Thanks for your prayers and condolences."
