Jose Edgardo Pedraza Abreu, a beloved father and grandfather, was born in Las Piedras, Puerto Rico, on November 29, 1977, to his parents, Jose A. Pedraza Santiago and Carmen Delia Abreu Cruz. Known to his loved ones as a cherished family man, the 48-year-old Hispanic man was the father of five children: Gadiel A., Jadiel, Dariel N., Jaher E., and Neisha L. Pedraza. He was also a proud grandfather to Amaia L. Rucci, Keyven Rucci, Jexiel, and Midzue. Mr.
Pedraza Abreu was one of seven siblings and is remembered as a dear brother to Maribel, Jose A., Marisela, Luis D., Carlos M., and Jaiza Pedraza, and a treasured uncle. His family said he would be deeply missed by all who knew him.
In the early morning hours of Sunday, October 4, 2026, Mr. Pedraza Abreu and his son were at Club Alma Yaucana in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood on Cleveland's West Side. The club, located in the 2600 block of West 25th Street, is known as the first and oldest Puerto Rican social club in the city, having opened in 1961. Around 1:10 a.m., an altercation broke out in the club's parking lot. During the confrontation, one or more individuals produced a firearm and opened fire.
Both Mr. Pedraza Abreu and his son were struck by the gunfire. Cleveland Police Department officers responded to reports of two men shot and found the father and son suffering from gunshot wounds. Cleveland EMS transported both men to a local hospital for treatment. Tragically, Jose Edgardo Pedraza Abreu was pronounced dead at the hospital. His son was last reported to be in critical condition.
The Cleveland Police Department's homicide unit is leading the investigation into the shooting. Detectives from the crime scene unit processed the scene in the parking lot for evidence. According to Sergeant Wilfredo Diaz, preliminary information suggested the conflict began in the parking lot, but investigators were also looking into whether the dispute started inside the club before escalating outside. Authorities were still working to determine what led to the altercation and how many people fired shots.
As of October 5, 2026, no arrests had been made, and police had not released any description of a suspect. Investigators urged any witnesses or individuals with information about the incident to come forward. "Any information, no matter how small, can be helpful to assisting in this case," Sergeant Diaz stated in a public appeal. The shooting was one of three separate homicides that occurred in Cuyahoga County over a three-day period.
Family and friends gathered to mourn Mr. Pedraza Abreu on Friday, October 23, 2026, at a life celebration center in Cleveland. A Mass of Christian Burial was held the following day at St. Michael the Archangel Church, followed by his interment at Holy Cross Cemetery. The case remains unsolved, and the investigation is ongoing as of October 2026. Police are asking anyone with information to contact investigators.
