CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging Juwone Deaver, 28, Katie McKnight, 23, and Ed’Jawon Williams, 23, for the Fourth of July shooting that killed 10-year-old Gracie Griffin in Cleveland.

“10-year-old Gracie Griffin — an innocent little girl — lost her life to senseless gun violence during a party with her family on Fourth of July. Gun violence in our county has become a routine occurrence and it is unacceptable.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On July 4, 2024, around 7:10 p.m., there was a family gathering at a residence near West 125th Street and Triskett Road in Cleveland. Juwone Deaver, Jemerious Davis, 23, Katie McKnight, and 10-year-old Gracie Griffin were standing outside the residence with additional family and friends.

A vehicle with four occupants, two males, both 23, and two females, 20 and 23, drove to the same residence to attend the party. They drove past the residence, turned around, and pulled back in front of the residence. Deaver and Davis then opened fire shooting multiple times with a .45 caliber firearm and an AK-style firearm at the vehicle. Gracie Griffin was struck in the head during the shooting. The vehicle immediately sped away from the residence.

Several people called the police. The Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) responded to the scene and Gracie was transported to a nearby hospital. She was later pronounced deceased.

The investigation conducted by CDP revealed there was no evidence that incoming fire to the residence occurred — only evidence of outgoing fire from the residence. In addition, Katie McKnight and Ed’Jawon Williams provided false information to the police regarding the shooting. On July 30, Juwone Deaver and Katie McKnight were arrested by the U.S. Marshals Service. This case remains under investigation.

The U.S. Marshals Service’s Violent Fugitive Task Force is actively searching for Jemerious Davis. If you have any information about this matter, please contact the U.S. Marshals at 1.866.4.WANTED.

On August 2, 2024, Juwone Deaver was indicted on the following charges:

  • One count of Murder
  • Four counts of Felonious Assault
  • One count of Improperly Discharging A Firearm At Or Into A Habitation Or A School Safety Zone
  • Two counts of Discharge Of Firearm On Or Near Prohibited Premises

Katie McKnight was indicted on the following charges:

  • Two counts of Obstructing Justice

Ed’Jawon Williams was indicted on the following charges:

  • One count of Obstructing Justice

Deaver, McKnight, and Williams will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.