CLEVELAND — Just before 11 p.m. on February 2, police and Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority officers raced to the Bundy Drive area after a ShotSpotter alert reported six to seven gunshots in quick succession. When they arrived, 42-year-old Preston Franklin lay motionless in a parking lot, the night air still heavy with silence. He wasn’t moving.
Neighbors told officers they heard the crack of gunfire and feared the worst. Some froze where they stood until first responders arrived. In the early moments of the night, there was confusion and disbelief — a busy street filled with people just hours earlier had become a scene of tragedy.
Officers rushed Franklin to Metro Health Hospital, hoping he might pull through. But after a tense wait and frantic efforts by medical staff, he was pronounced dead. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner later confirmed his identity and that he died from injuries consistent with gunshot wounds.
Police have not released details about how the shooting unfolded, who may have fired the shots, or whether anyone else was hurt. Detectives are collecting witness statements and evidence from the parking lot and surrounding buildings to piece together what led to Franklin’s death. The investigation is active and ongoing.
Residents in the area described a tight knot of shock and sorrow after hearing about Franklin’s death. Some said they knew the victim casually, recalling his friendly wave or familiar face in local shops. Others said they were unsettled by the sudden violence, wondering how a calm evening turned deadly in minutes.
Cleveland police are urging anyone with information about the shooting — no matter how small the detail — to come forward. Tips can be shared directly with investigators or submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers. Authorities say every piece of information helps build a clearer picture of what happened that night.
As the investigation continues, community leaders are calling for calm and cooperation. They stress that while answers may take time, the families and friends affected deserve truth and closure. More updates are expected as detectives work through leads and forensic analysis.
