LORAIN, OHIO — A homicide investigation is underway in Lorain after a 31-year-old Cleveland man was found shot inside a vehicle following a crash early Saturday morning. Authorities have identified the victim as William Cummings, whose injuries later proved to be fatal.
According to the Lorain Police Department, officers responded to a reported car crash around 4 a.m. on Saturday near the intersection of Broadway Avenue and West 6th Street. Upon arriving at the scene, officers found Cummings inside the vehicle, suffering from what initially appeared to be injuries sustained during the crash.
However, as investigators began piecing together the circumstances, they uncovered evidence that drastically shifted the nature of the case. Officers discovered multiple bullet holes in the vehicle and soon learned that a shooting had taken place nearby just prior to the crash, outside Bootlegger’s Den, a local bar located at 538 Broadway Avenue.
Detectives now believe that Cummings was shot near the bar and then attempted to flee the scene in his vehicle before crashing just blocks away.
Cummings was immediately transported to Mercy Hospital in Lorain, where he was listed in critical condition. Despite efforts by medical staff, officials confirmed that he succumbed to his injuries days later.
The Lorain Police Department has since classified the case as a homicide, and investigators are working diligently to identify and apprehend the person responsible. As of now, no arrests have been made, and authorities say the suspect remains at large.
The shooting has sent shockwaves through the Lorain community, with residents expressing concern about escalating violence and the safety of nightlife areas such as the one where the shooting occurred.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or has information about the incident to come forward. Detectives are especially interested in speaking with patrons who may have been at Bootlegger’s Den during the early morning hours of Saturday.
“This was a senseless act of violence that ended the life of a young man with his future ahead of him,” one officer involved in the case stated. “We are asking the public for any help that can lead to justice for William Cummings and his family.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Lorain Police detectives at (440) 204-2105. Tips can also be provided anonymously through local Crime Stoppers programs.
As the investigation continues, the community of Lorain remains on edge, hoping for swift justice and resolution in the tragic death of William Cummings.