On the early morning of April 26, 2016, tragedy struck a Cleveland family when 22-year-old Ernest Levert, a young African American male with a bright future ahead of him, was senselessly taken from his loved ones. The horrific event unfolded near the intersection of Ansel Road and Crumb Avenue on Cleveland’s east side, a place where Ernest likely never imagined his life would come to a sudden and violent end.
The pain of his untimely death continues to weigh heavily on his family, who struggle daily with the heartbreaking reality of his absence.
Ernest was driving his grandmother’s black Kia when the sound of gunfire shattered the quiet of the early morning. It was around 2:30 a.m. when witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots ring out, followed by the sickening crash of a car slamming into a utility pole. The impact was so severe that the pole collapsed onto a nearby home, adding to the chaos of an already devastating scene. Responding officers found Ernest slumped over inside the vehicle, suffering from gunshot wounds. They worked quickly, pulling him from the wreckage and attempting to save his life, but despite their efforts, his injuries were too severe. He was rushed to the hospital, where doctors did everything they could, but it was too late—22-year-old Ernest Levert had succumbed to his wounds.
For Ernest’s family, the pain was indescribable. His mother, April Levert, was overwhelmed with grief and disbelief. “Just why? Why him?” she asked, struggling to comprehend how her son—who had no enemies, no trouble with anyone—could be the target of such a horrific act of violence. “He was special. He was definitely a gift,” she said, her voice filled with both sorrow and love. Ernest was more than just a son; he was the pillar of his family, the protective older brother to five younger sisters, a source of strength and pride for those who knew him. He had a kind heart and a promising future, having earned a college track scholarship due to his natural athleticism and determination. He had dreams, aspirations, and an entire life ahead of him, one that was cruelly stolen in an instant.
His grandfather, Richard Levert Sr., echoed the family’s devastation, mourning the loss of a young man whose potential had been abruptly cut short. “A good life gone too soon,” he said, shaking his head at the unfairness of it all. “He had so much potential to go further in his life.” Their grief was compounded by the fact that no one knew why this had happened. Was Ernest simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? Had he been mistaken for someone else? These unanswered questions only deepened the family's sorrow, leaving them desperate for answers, for justice.
In the wake of the tragedy, Ernest’s family channeled their pain into action, launching a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the unexpected funeral costs. But more than anything, they wanted answers. They pleaded with the community for information, hoping that someone, anyone, would come forward with the truth. Richard Levert Sr. directed a powerful message at the person responsible: “You were man enough to pull the trigger, be man enough to turn yourself in.” But despite their efforts, the case remained shrouded in silence. No arrests were made, no suspects identified, no justice served.
As days turned into weeks, and weeks into years, Ernest’s family continued to grieve, their pain undiminished by time. The weight of an unsolved murder is a burden that no family should have to carry, yet they do, clinging to the hope that one day, the truth will come to light. The streets of Cleveland hold the answers they so desperately seek, and until those answers come, they will never stop fighting for Ernest—the son, brother, and beloved young man whose light was extinguished far too soon.
