An 18-year-old man remembered for his playful spirit and intelligence was shot and killed in Cleveland, Ohio, on the evening of Thursday, September 24, 2026. Julian Binns, a male known affectionately to some as "3 Deuce," was deeply loved by his family and friends, who were left reeling from the sudden and violent loss. Mourners described him as a cherished little brother and a funny, smart young man.
In heartfelt online tributes, loved ones shared their grief, with one person writing, "I love you in every lifetime after this one my love, I choose you always." Another person recalled his time on the football field, posting, "Funny kid. glad I got to spend some time with you during football. I believed in you."
The fatal shooting occurred around dusk on the city's East Side, in the Union-Miles Park neighborhood. The Cleveland Division of Police received calls reporting a car crash and possible gunfire near the intersection of East 103rd Street and Harvard Avenue. When officers arrived at the scene, they found a white SUV that had gone off the road and crashed. The vehicle was reportedly riddled with bullet holes, a clear sign of the violence that had just taken place. Inside the driver's seat, officers discovered Julian Binns. He was unresponsive, having suffered multiple gunshot wounds. Cleveland EMS paramedics were dispatched to the location, but despite their efforts, Julian was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit immediately launched an investigation. Detectives cordoned off the area, beginning the meticulous process of collecting evidence from the damaged SUV and the surrounding street. They searched for shell casings, forensic evidence, and anything that might lead them to the person or people responsible for the shooting. Authorities confirmed they were working to retrieve and review footage from any nearby surveillance or crime cameras, hoping the recordings might have captured the moments leading up to the gunfire, the shooting itself, or a suspect vehicle fleeing the area.
Julian's death was a devastating blow to a family that had already endured significant loss. His name is listed as a surviving brother in the 2021 obituary for his older brother, Deandre R. Binns Sr., who passed away at the age of 23. The family had also mourned the loss of their patriarch, Julian's grandfather Louis Guyon, just a year prior in 2025. These compounded tragedies highlight the profound and repeated grief this family has been forced to navigate. The community was left to grapple with the loss of another young life in a city that has seen numerous instances of gun violence.
As of the latest available reports from September 2026, the investigation into Julian Binns's murder is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. Police have not publicly identified any suspects or persons of interest, and the motive for the shooting remains unclear. The case is one of several in Cleveland that year where homicide victims were discovered inside crashed vehicles after being shot, a disturbing trend that leaves communities on edge and investigators with complex crime scenes.
The absence of answers prolongs the suffering for Julian’s family and friends. They are left to remember the young man they loved without the closure of knowing who was responsible for his death or why it happened. His life was cut short before he had the chance to realize his full potential, leaving a void in the hearts of those who knew him. The case remains open, a painful and unresolved chapter for his loved ones and the city.
The Cleveland Division of Police continues to seek information from the public that could lead to a breakthrough in the case.
