Cleveland police arrest 18-year-old suspect in fatal Halloran Park stabbing; additional February stabbing investigated
Arrest follows weekend homicide investigation on Cleveland’s West Side
Cleveland police have arrested an 18-year-old man in connection with a fatal stabbing at Halloran Park, a public recreation site at 3550 W. 117th St. The case is being investigated as a homicide, with detectives also examining whether the same suspect is tied to a separate stabbing reported earlier this month.
Police said officers were dispatched to Halloran Park at about 5 p.m. Saturday after a report of a man slumped over in the park. When officers arrived, Cleveland EMS was treating the victim for multiple stab wounds. The man was taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead, police said.
How investigators identified and detained the suspect
Detectives with the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit opened an investigation immediately after the victim was found. Police said investigators determined that a suspect approached the victim and attacked “for no apparent reason,” based on information developed during the early stages of the case.
The suspect was identified as Amontay Billups, 18, police said. On Sunday, a first district sergeant spotted Billups in the area and, with assistance from other officers, detained him. Police said a sharp-edged weapon was found on Billups at the time he was taken into custody and was collected as evidence.
Billups was transported to the Cuyahoga County Jail and is being charged with murder, police said. Investigators also served search warrants Monday on the West Side and collected additional evidence, according to police.
Separate Feb. 9 stabbing under review; charges pending in that case
Police said investigators believe Billups may also be responsible for a stabbing that occurred Feb. 9. Details of that incident have not been released, and police said the investigation is ongoing and additional charges are pending.
What remains unknown
Authorities have not publicly identified the homicide victim, provided an account of the victim’s movements before the attack, or described any prior relationship between the victim and the suspect. Police have also not released information about witnesses, surveillance video, or a potential motive beyond the preliminary statement that the attack appeared unprovoked.
Location: Halloran Park, 3550 W. 117th St.
Initial call: about 5 p.m. Saturday
Arrest: suspect detained Sunday; warrants served Monday
Current charge announced: murder
Police have indicated the Feb. 9 stabbing remains under investigation and that charges in that incident are pending.
The case is expected to proceed through the county’s booking and court processes, with additional information likely to emerge through charging documents and future court filings.