On the evening of March 28, 2026, a dispute over parking in Akron, Ohio, escalated into a tragic act of violence that claimed the life of 47-year-old Tania Mangual, a Black female, and her 12-year-old son. The incident unfolded around 8:10 p.m. on West Wilbeth Road, shattering a quiet neighborhood and leaving a family devastated.
Responding to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire, Akron police arrived to a chaotic scene.
They discovered a vehicle that had crashed into a treeline on Hemlock Street and was partially engulfed in flames. Inside the car, first responders found Tania Mangual's son, Jericho, who had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at the scene. Tania, who had also been shot, was rushed to a local hospital where she succumbed to her injuries shortly after arrival. Miraculously, another of her sons, a 2-year-old boy, was also in the vehicle but was not physically harmed.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly led police to identify 28-year-old Brandon T. Casto as the suspect. Information from a woman who fled the scene after allegedly being shot at by Casto proved crucial in his identification. Investigators learned that Casto might have been attempting to flee the Akron area. He later surrendered to authorities in Meigs County. A search of a residence connected to Casto uncovered multiple firearms and a large quantity of ammunition.
Brandon T. Casto was subsequently charged with two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of felonious assault. He pleaded not guilty to the charges, and his bond was set at $3 million. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities have indicated that a parking dispute is being examined as a possible motive for the shooting. There is no reported connection between Casto and the Mangual family. The senseless act of violence has deeply impacted the Akron community, leaving behind a grieving family and a community in mourning.
