Cleveland Police said Saturday they believe threats made on social media about impending gang violence on city streets were not credible, but that local, state and federal partners would continue to investigate.
The threats have appeared on Facebook in recent days. One Cleveland Church even issued an automated call to neighbors urging them to stay away from certain areas of Cleveland's southeast side.
Those threats come after 5-month-old Aavielle Wakefield was shot and killed on Thursday while sitting in her car seat on E 143rd St near Kinsman. Two other children, ages three and five, have also been murdered on city streets in recent weeks.
Back on that same block two days later, neighbors were still fearful.
“Scary and it’s really a shame that people are doing what they’re doing," Andrea Stewart said.
At an anti-violence rally on Saturday, LaCondria Freeman, the grandmother of 3-year-old murder victim Major Howard, urged witnesses of the latest child murder to come forward.
“A lot of people are afraid and it’s this thing about snitching, but it could be you," Freeman said. "All we’re doing is begging and pleading for you to come forward.”
There is a $25,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the murder of Aavielle Wakefield.
Meanwhile, Cleveland Police are still looking for Donnell Lindsey, after a warrant was issued for his arrest in the murder of 3-year-old Major Howard.
