Cleveland Ross, a 27-year-old man from Los Angeles, California, was tragically shot and killed on March 12, 2015. The incident occurred around 4:45 p.m. while Ross was working on his car battery in the parking lot of an AutoZone located at 648 W. Century Boulevard in the Vermont Vista neighborhood. According to the Los Angeles County coroner's records, a person drove up in a red sedan, exited the vehicle, and opened fire on Ross.
Despite being rushed to the hospital, Ross was pronounced dead at 5:10 p.m.
The investigation into Ross's murder was handled by the Los Angeles Police Department's Criminal Gang Homicide Division. Detective Dave Garrido, who was involved in the case, noted that the shooting appeared to be a targeted attack. The authorities urged anyone with information to come forward, offering anonymity through Crime Stoppers. Despite these efforts, the case faced significant challenges, and no immediate arrests were made following the incident.
In the years following Ross's death, the case saw some developments. In a related legal proceeding, Cleo Steele, a member of the Underground Crips gang, was convicted of multiple charges, including two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder, stemming from gang-related shootings in March and June 2015. One of the murders for which Steele was convicted was the shooting of Cleveland Ross. The prosecution presented evidence linking Steele to the crime, and he was ultimately found guilty. Steele's conviction included various gang and weapons enhancements, reflecting the violent nature of the crimes.
The legal proceedings highlighted the broader issue of gang violence in Los Angeles, with Ross's murder being one of many tragic outcomes. The case underscored the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat gang-related crimes and bring perpetrators to justice. Despite the conviction of Steele, the investigation into Ross's murder continued to seek additional information and potential accomplices involved in the crime. The community and law enforcement remained vigilant, hoping to provide closure to Ross's family and ensure that justice was fully served.
