A father and son’s night out together ended in tragedy early Sunday morning when 48-year-old Jose Pedraza was killed and his son, Gadiel, was critically injured in a shooting outside Club Alma Yaucana in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood.
What Happened
Cleveland police say officers responded around 1:10 a.m. on October 4 to the 2600 block of West 25th Street, where they found both men suffering from gunshot wounds. Cleveland EMS transported father and son to a local hospital, where Jose Pedraza later died from his injuries. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office formally identified him as the victim.
As of Monday afternoon, Gadiel Pedraza remained in critical condition, according to Sgt. Wilfredo Diaz.
What Investigators Know So Far
Diaz said preliminary information indicates an altercation broke out in the club’s parking lot before one or more people opened fire on the victims. Detectives are still working to determine how many shooters were involved and what led to the confrontation, including whether it started inside the club before spilling outside.
The case has been assigned to the Cleveland Police Department’s Homicide Unit, and the department’s crime scene unit has processed the location. As of the latest update, no arrests have been made, and police have not released information about a suspect or motive.
“Any information, no matter how small, can be helpful to assisting in this case,” Diaz said, asking anyone who witnessed the shooting or has relevant information to come forward.
A Historic Gathering Place
Club Alma Yaucana holds a notable place in Cleveland’s history. According to Case Western Reserve University’s Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, it’s considered the city’s first and oldest Puerto Rican social club, having opened its doors in 1961. WKYC has reached out to the club for comment.
Remembering Jose Pedraza
Those who knew Jose Pedraza describe a father who was there for his son until the very end — protecting him, loving him to the last moment they shared together. His death has left a family grappling with an irreplaceable loss while holding onto hope for Gadiel’s recovery.
Jose Pedraza is being remembered as a father, a loved one, and a member of the Cleveland community whose life was taken far too soon. Thoughts and prayers continue to go out to Gadiel, to the Pedraza family, and to everyone who knew and cherished Jose during this painful time.
Investigation Ongoing
The investigation remains active as detectives work to piece together what happened and identify those responsible. Additional details are expected to be released as the case develops.
