Ramon Vonzell Cooper, a 29-year-old African American man from Youngstown, Ohio, tragically passed away on February 4, 2020. He was affectionately known as "Coop" or "Monie" and was well-loved by his family and friends. Ramon was employed by Vinyl Profiles LLC and was preparing to obtain his CDL license. He was a passionate sports fan, particularly of the Denver Broncos, and enjoyed spending time with his family.
Ramon's death was the result of a shooting that occurred outside a tavern on
South Avenue in Youngstown. According to police reports, Ramon and Aaron Clinkscale, 27, had been involved in a fight inside the tavern, which was broken up by security. However, the confrontation continued outside, where Ramon was shot and later pronounced dead at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.
Aaron Clinkscale was initially charged with murder in connection to Ramon's death. However, a Mahoning County grand jury refused to indict him on the murder charge. Instead, Clinkscale pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and was sentenced to 30 months in prison. The decision was made by Judge Anthony Donofrio, who chose the 30-month sentence over the 36-month recommendation by prosecutors.
The loss of Ramon Cooper was deeply felt by his family and the community, who remembered him for his vibrant spirit and love for life. His funeral was held on February 15, 2020, at L.E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home in Youngstown. Ramon is survived by his parents, 16 siblings, and numerous other family members and friends.
The case surrounding Ramon's death highlights the ongoing challenges of gun violence and the complexities of the legal system in addressing such incidents. While justice was served in the form of a prison sentence for the weapon possession charge, the refusal to indict on the murder charge left some questions unanswered for Ramon's loved ones.
