Wednesday, January 26, 2011
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Kshaun Weaver
YOUNGSTOWN
Police arrested a woman in connection with a South Side shooting but are still looking for her son who is believed to have pulled the trigger.
Erica Weaver, age unknown, of East LaClede Avenue, was arrested Jan. 7 at her home by members of the U.S. Marshal’s office. Police say Weaver had been in Columbus since learning police were looking for her but was arrested when she returned home earlier this month.
Weaver is charged with tampering with evidence, a felony. Charges have been bound over to the Mahoning County grand jury, but she has not yet been indicted. She is free on $10,000 bond.
The search for Weaver’s 19-year-old son, Kshaun Weaver, has turned into a game of cat-and-mouse with police. He is wanted for felonious assault and illegally carrying a firearm in the shooting of 22-year-old Kenneth Woods Jr.
The shooting occurred Nov. 28 on East Lucius Avenue near Erie Street on the South Side. Police were called to the scene at 3:30 p.m. in response to reports of gunshots, a large fight and several wrecked cars.
When they arrived, they found Woods, of West Judson Street, slumped over in the driver’s seat of his car. The rear window was broken out, and there was an exit hole from a bullet in the windshield.
Woods had a head wound and couldn’t speak, police said. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center. Woods had nothing to do with the fight, police added.
The shooting left Woods alive but struggling to get back to a normal existence and undergoing intensive therapy. He had to undergo weeks of therapy in an attempt to regain the use of his limbs.
Erica Weaver is charged because police believe she tampered with evidence that is crucial in her son’s apprehension. Capt. Rod Foley said Weaver has told officers that she had been in contact with her son, but he refused to surrender, even after she encouraged him to do so.
Investigators had been in contact with Kshaun Weaver before issuing the warrant for his arrest, but he had been uncooperative with officers. Foley said Kshaun Weaver is believed to still be in the area, but hiding out with friends or family.
“We have information that he is still local, but afraid to turn himself in. He is just dragging this out,” Foley said. “Somebody is out there harboring and supporting him, and he is going to get that person charged with a felony.”
Foley said one of the reasons Kshaun Weaver may not want to turn himself in is a pending drug case for which he is due to be sentenced. According to county court records, Kshaun Weaver pleaded guilty to possession of cocaine and was due to be sentenced Jan. 5 by Judge Maureen Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court.
Foley again is asking anyone in the public with information as to Kshaun Weaver’s whereabouts to call police at 330-746-CLUE or 330-742-8911. “This is not going to go away,” Foley added.