LaShawnda Grier is living every parent’s worst nightmare.
On Tuesday, December 10, her two adult children, Mariana, 21, and Antwon, 20, were senselessly shot and killed in an apartment complex parking lot in Euclid, Ohio.
The Tragic Incident
According to police, the siblings were caught in the crossfire when “gunfire erupted within the crowd” around 7 p.m. local time. Both Mariana and Antwon suffered fatal gunshot wounds and later died at a local hospital. LaShawnda was present when her children were gunned down and described the horrific scene: “As a mother, how do you pick which kid you are trying to save, and both of them are down?”
A Mother’s Desperation
LaShawnda recounted the chaos, saying: “All of us fell at the same time. I got up, my oldest daughter got up and ran up the hill, and I ran down the hill. I saw my son underneath the car, and my other ones fell, and I picked him up, and he was so slumped.” She added that Antwon died in her arms, leaving her with an unbearable pain.
Jealousy-Fueled Violence
According to surveillance footage, four women gathered in the back lot before the shooting. LaShawnda claimed that the group, who worked with her daughter, were motivated by jealousy over a relationship and had come to the apartment to confront Mariana. Antwon, trying to de-escalate the situation, was caught in the crossfire.
The Investigation Unfolds
The Euclid Police Department has developed strong leads in the double homicide investigation. Authorities have detained an 18-year-old woman allegedly involved in the shootings, and LaShawnda praised the police for their efforts: “Euclid is doing a wonderful job… I applaud them for that. They know I don’t play about my kids. I’ma get justice for my kids. If it’s every breath that’s in my body, I’ma get it.”
Remembering Antwon and Mariana
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to cover funeral expenses and provide financial relief for the family. The campaign describes Antwon and Mariana as “full of life, with bright futures ahead of them.” Antwon was known for his sense of humor and kind heart, while Mariana was an “incredible soul—compassionate, driven, and full of dreams for her future.” The campaign concludes: “Together, they were a beautiful pair whose spirits will forever be missed.”
