Andre Dewayne Lamont Martin Obituary, Death – Authorities have released new information regarding a fatal shooting involving law enforcement officers that took place on Cleveland’s West Side. The incident occurred on Wednesday afternoon and involved members of a multi-agency task force assigned to a narcotics investigation.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office has officially identified the man who was killed as 47-year-old Andre Dewayne Lamont Martin of Garfield Heights, a suburb located southeast of Cleveland.
According to authorities, the deadly encounter unfolded in the parking lot of a Staples store at 2150 West 117th Street shortly before 4:30 p.m. Members of the task force, which included officers from the Medina County Sheriff’s Department, were reportedly involved in an ongoing narcotics operation when the incident occurred.
Officials say Martin pulled out a knife upon encountering two law enforcement officers. Both officers, who were part of a joint task force including U.S. Homeland Security Investigations and the Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, responded by firing their weapons. Martin was struck by gunfire and pronounced dead at the scene.
The statement from Cleveland police indicated that the task force officers were working on an active investigation related to drug activity, although it remains unclear if Martin was the direct subject of that investigation. Authorities have not yet provided specific details regarding the nature of Martin’s involvement or whether he was being monitored prior to the confrontation.
At this time, the Medina County Sheriff’s Department has not responded to media inquiries seeking clarification about the incident or the role of their deputies in the operation.
Task forces like the one involved in this incident are commonly formed through collaborations between federal and local law enforcement agencies. They allow for increased manpower and resources when investigating complex cases such as drug trafficking, organized crime, and corruption. The Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission, under the direction of the state attorney general, routinely works alongside agencies like U.S. Homeland Security, the FBI, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
While Cleveland police detectives are currently leading the investigation into the shooting, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI), which typically handles officer-involved shootings, has stated it has no information on the case at this time. It is unclear if BCI will become involved later.
In these types of situations, it is standard procedure to conduct a thorough investigation to determine whether the use of force was justified. Investigators will likely review surveillance footage from the area, body camera recordings (if available), and witness statements to reconstruct the events that led to the shooting.
So far, few additional details have been released regarding what prompted Martin to allegedly threaten the officers with a knife or how the situation escalated so quickly. Authorities have not disclosed how many shots were fired or whether both deputies discharged their weapons.
The fact that Martin was found with a knife and that officers were investigating a narcotics-related matter has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the shooting. The lack of clarity about Martin’s potential role in the investigation leaves open the possibility that he may have been a bystander or an unintended subject of interest. Until more information is available, these details remain speculative.
The incident has sparked concern and curiosity within the community and among civil rights advocates who regularly call for greater transparency in law enforcement actions. Fatal encounters with law enforcement, particularly in cases involving individuals armed with knives rather than firearms, often draw heightened scrutiny and demand for accountability.
Andre Martin’s death adds to a growing list of officer-involved shootings in the Cleveland area in recent years. Public officials and community leaders are expected to watch the investigation closely to determine whether procedures were followed appropriately and if further action is warranted.
It is likely that additional details about Martin’s background, the officers involved, and the nature of the narcotics investigation will be released in the coming days as the case continues to unfold. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office may eventually review the findings of the investigation to determine if the shooting was justified or if charges should be considered.
Meanwhile, Cleveland police continue to urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward. As the investigation progresses, community members and Martin’s loved ones await more answers about what led to the fatal encounter and whether it could have been prevented.
Authorities are expected to hold a press conference or issue a formal update once more facts have been gathered and reviewed. Until then, the incident remains under active investigation by local law enforcement agencies.