Girl, 16, is shot to death

The victim was likely not the target.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — A call that went out as a car crash on the South Side soon turned into a search for those who shot a 16-year-old girl to death and left her companion clinging to life.

LaShonda Shaw, a passenger in a friend’s car, was shot multiple times around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday and was unable to be revived at St. Elizabeth Health Center. Randolph Jeter, 19, the driver, was in critical condition on life support at the hospital. Both had the same East Side address on Cedar Lane.

Capt. Kenneth Centorame, chief of detectives, said detectives think Jeter was the intended victim, not the girl. No motive or suspects had emerged Thursday, he said.

He said Jeter was parked against traffic in the 100 block of West Delason Avenue when another car pulled up and the occupant — or occupants — opened fire. Because of the way Jeter was parked, the shots hit the passenger side, striking Shaw first.

Centorame said the girl had been a runaway in the past, the most recent report filed in January. He said the girl’s aunt once had custody but wasn’t sure of the teenager’s current situation.

Centorame said the initial call was a report of a car accident. First officers found Jeter’s black Pontiac Grand Am had hit a utility pole near Hillman Street.

Police also had a report of gunshots. Both occupants were nonresponsive upon arrival by the police. Shaw was found slumped over in her seat with bullet wounds to her back and torso, and Jeter, his breath staggered, was slumped against the steering wheel bleeding from a head wound.

A witness saw the Grand Am and another car pulled up beside it. Moments later, the witness heard gunshots and watched the Grand Am head slowly toward Hillman as the other car sped away in the opposite direction. The Grand Am softly hit a utility pole on the north side of the street, stopped, then slowly rolled backward.

Police found broken glass and numerous bullet casings in the street several houses away from the wrecked Grand Am. Seven bullet holes were found on the passenger side door.

The shooting death of Shaw was ruled a homicide by Coroner David M. Kennedy, making it the city’s 15th this year. There were 14 homicides at this time in 2007.