On December 1, 2017, at approximately 7:30 p.m., 29-year-old Steven Sopko, a male from Cleveland, Ohio, was found deceased alongside 39-year-old Rickey Gray of Strongsville. Both men were inside a vehicle on West 45th Street in Cleveland's Clark-Fulton neighborhood, each having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Authorities pronounced both individuals dead at the scene.
Investigations revealed that an unidentified male suspect had approached the vehicle and fired multiple shots into it before fleeing the area in a dark-colored pickup truck. Despite efforts by the Cleveland Police Department, no arrests were made in connection with the double homicide. The department urged anyone with information to come forward to assist in solving the case.
Steven Sopko was a father to two children, Steven Jr. and Jayden Sopko. He was the son of Wendy Sopko and Steven Flowers, and brother to Crystal Flonnoy and Stephany Sopko. His unexpected passing led to an outpouring of grief from family and friends, who remembered him as a beloved family member and friend.
In the aftermath of his death, a GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses and to honor Steven's memory. The campaign highlighted the senselessness of the violence that led to his untimely passing and the profound impact it had on those who knew him.
As of now, the case remains unsolved, with no suspects identified or arrested. The Cleveland Police Department continues to seek information from the public to bring justice for Steven Sopko and Rickey Gray.
