19-year-old woman killed and 15-year-old injured in early-morning Slavic Village shooting, police say

What happened

A 19-year-old woman was fatally shot and a 15-year-old girl was hospitalized after a shooting early Sunday in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood. The incident occurred in the 7000 block of Gertrude Avenue, where officers were dispatched after an acoustic gunfire-detection alert reported shots fired at about 1:20 a.m.

Responding officers found two victims at the scene. Cleveland EMS pronounced the 19-year-old dead. The 15-year-old was transported to a local hospital. Authorities have not released the girl’s medical condition.

Victim identification and investigation status

The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner identified the deceased as Crystal Pittman, 19, of Cleveland.

Police said a “person of interest” has been confirmed. No arrests, charges, or suspect description were publicly released as of Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, and investigators have not disclosed a motive or the circumstances that led to the gunfire.

How gunfire-detection alerts shape the initial response

Cleveland has expanded ShotSpotter gunshot-detection coverage citywide in recent years. The system uses acoustic sensors to detect suspected gunfire and generate a location-based alert intended to speed police response and help preserve evidence such as shell casings. City officials have described the technology as one tool among broader strategies to address gun violence and improve emergency response times.

In this case, the initial dispatch was tied to a ShotSpotter alert rather than a publicly described 911 call, highlighting how gunfire-detection can bring officers to scenes where shots may not be immediately reported.

What remains unknown

• Whether the victims were targeted or caught in crossfire
• Where the shooting occurred in relation to the victims’ location (outside, vehicle-related, or inside a residence)
• Whether investigators have recovered a firearm or identified additional witnesses
• Whether the person of interest is in custody or being sought for questioning

What’s next

The case remains under investigation. Police typically continue canvassing for witnesses, seeking surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses, and processing ballistic evidence to determine the number of shots fired, the direction of fire, and whether the weapon may be linked to other incidents.

Anyone with information can contact the Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit. Tips can also be provided anonymously through local tip lines.

This story will be updated as additional verified details are released, including any arrest information and the hospitalized victim’s condition.