Pictured are 12-year-old Davia Garth and a booking photo of her stepfather, Rufus Gray, 59, who is in custody and accused of murdering the young girl at their home on Cleveland's east side during a domestic dispute with her mother
By Kathy Wray Coleman, editor-in-chief, Cleveland Urban News. Com and The Cleveland Urban News.Com Blog, Ohio's Most Read Online Black Newspaper and Newspaper Blog Kathy Wray Coleman is a community activist and 21-year investigative journalist who trained for 17 years at the Call and Post Newspaper. (www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)
CLEVELAND, Ohio -Community activists will rally at 5 pm on Friday, Nov 7 in front of the house at 6909 Clement Avenue on Cleveland's east side where a Cleveland man last week shot and killed his 12-year-old stepdaughter during a domestic dispute with her mother. (For directions, take Harvard Avenue to E. 71st St and turn right if coming from downtown and then go a couple of blocks and turn right on to Clement Avenue). Call the Imperial Women Coalition at 216-659-0473 for more information on Friday's upcoming rally.
Rufus Gray, 59, who is currently in custody, had been arrested for domestic violence and released from jail with no charges weeks earlier. He was released even though he was still on probation for a domestic attack against the same woman, a Cleveland 19 Action News report reveals.
Police say Gray shot and wounded his wife, Sonya Garth-Gray, and shot and killed his 12-year-old stepdaughter, Davia Garth. Davia Garth's older brother wrestled the gun away from his stepfather.
Sonya Garth-Gray was treated at a local hospital and later released, some of the bullets still lodged in her arms.
Community activists groups want to know why Gray was released.
"We want immediate answers and will rally over this issue on Friday," said community activist Kathy Wray Coleman, who leads the Imperial Women Coalition.
"Let's do what we have to do on this matter," said longtime community activist Ada Averyhart, 80, and a member of the Carl Stokes Brigade and the Imperial Women Coalition
"It's a shame and they never should have let him [Gray] go, and I support the rally," said Black on Black Crime Founder Art McKoy.
Davia Garth's older brother wrestled the gun away from his stepfather, who also shot his wife several times in the arms. She was treated at a local hospital and later released.
Gray was arrested under investigation for domestic violence on Oct. 6.
His wife has filed for divorce five times, public records reveal. Four times she dropped cases, with the last just starting to work its way through court.
Gray was also under a protective order.
Funeral services for Davia Garth are set for Saturday at 10 a.m. at Body of Christ Church on Miles Road.
A fund has been set up in her name at Fifth Third Bank.
(www.clevelandurbannews.com) / (www.kathywraycolemanonlinenewsblog.com)
