Anthony Hairston, a 20-year-old Black man, was fatally shot in Garfield Heights, Ohio, in early 2024. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. on January 3 at a Pizza Hut located in the 5500 block of Turney Road. When Garfield Heights police officers arrived at the restaurant, they found Hairston suffering from gunshot wounds.
Emergency responders transported Hairston to Cleveland Clinic Marymount Hospital for treatment.
He fought for his life for two days before succumbing to his injuries on January 5, 2024.
The investigation into the shooting led police to a suspect, Dakaree Cook of Garfield Heights. Garfield Heights Police Chief Mark Kaye stated that the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident and noted that Cook and Hairston were acquainted with each other prior to the altercation.
In October 2024, Cook, then 19 years old, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, and tampering with evidence for his role in Anthony Hairston's death. The following month, on November 6, Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge William Vodrey sentenced Dakaree Cook to serve 25 to 30.5 years in prison. The sentencing in November 2024 brought the legal proceedings in the case to a close.
