Michael R. May III, a 33-year-old male of Slavic Village, Cleveland, OH, was tragically shot and killed on January 27, 2019. May was walking home with groceries for his mother when he was attacked near the footbridge over I-77 near East 48th Street. His death was part of a series of violent crimes that had been plaguing the neighborhood.
Following the incident, 41-year-old Anthony Balducci was charged with aggravated murder in connection with May's death. The community responded to the violence with increased vigilance, including bike patrols and block club members cruising the streets to deter further crime. JoMarie May, Michael's mother, expressed her grief and called for community involvement to help combat the violence.
The case has also seen legal developments, including a request for DNA retesting by a Cleveland man, Michael Riley, who was convicted of being complicit in a separate 2016 murder. The Ohio Supreme Court ordered a reevaluation of Riley's request, highlighting the importance of proper judicial review in such cases.
The tragic death of Michael R. May III has sparked a movement within the Slavic Village neighborhood to unite against violence and work together to create a safer community.
