A beloved mother, daughter, and sister, Edyza F. Barnes was a cherished member of a large and loving family. The 27-year-old female from Cleveland, Ohio, was a devoted mother to her two young children, Zayden and Elizzianie. Born on September 26, 1999, Edyza was deeply connected to her family, which included her mother, Yasira Velez; her siblings, Jesus, Raul, Yazimari, and Rey; her grandparents, Flor and Carmen Morales; and her great-grandmother, Alicia Gonzalez.
She was also treasured by her uncles, Omar Morales, Wilfredo Velez, and Enrique Velez, and her cousins, Maryalice, Cristina, Brenda, and Glenda. Those who knew her were left to cherish her memory after her life was tragically cut short.
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, Edyza was fatally shot on Cleveland's West Side. The incident occurred on West 50th Street, a residential street in a neighborhood filled with single- and multi-family homes. According to reports, she sustained a single, fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The specific details surrounding the shooting, including the exact time of the incident and what may have led to the violence, have not been released to the public. It is not known if there were any witnesses to the shooting or what the circumstances were that placed Edyza in harm's way. She was pronounced dead that day, leaving her family and community devastated by the sudden and violent loss.
The Cleveland Division of Police immediately launched a homicide investigation into the death of Edyza Barnes. Detectives from the homicide unit are handling the case, tasked with piecing together the events of that Saturday. The investigation involves gathering evidence from the scene on West 50th Street, searching for potential surveillance footage from nearby homes or businesses, and appealing to the public for information. The neighborhood where the shooting occurred is part of the city's First District. Investigators are working to develop leads and identify a person or persons of interest who may have been involved.
As of late October 2026, the investigation remains active and ongoing. Authorities have not publicly named any suspects, and no arrests have been announced in connection with the shooting. The motive for the crime remains unknown, leaving Edyza's loved ones with painful, unanswered questions about why her life was taken. The Cleveland Division of Police has not released any further information regarding potential leads or the progress of their investigation. The case remains an open and unsolved homicide.
In the days following her death, Edyza’s family came together to honor her life and mourn their profound loss. They planned services to celebrate her memory, holding a Celebration of Life on Friday, October 23, 2026, at the Craciun Berry Funeral Home on Detroit Avenue. A funeral service was held at the same location the following day, Saturday, October 24, allowing friends and community members to pay their respects and offer their sympathy to the grieving family. The outpouring of support underscored the deep impact of Edyza's life on those around her and the sorrow felt throughout the community in the wake of her death.
The case of Edyza Barnes’s death is a stark reminder of the lasting trauma that gun violence inflicts on families and communities. While her family grieves, the search for answers and justice continues. The investigation is in the hands of the Cleveland Division of Police, and the case remains open.
