Cleveland Shooting Case: 17-Year-Old to Face Trial for 15 Shots Fired at 14-Year-Old
The trial for 17-year-old Steven Sopko, Jr. begins Monday, as he faces charges in the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Braylon Harges, who was shot 15 times on November 5 of last year.
Braylon’s mother, Seaerra LeFlore, expressed her profound sorrow, stating, “You would have loved him if you would have met my baby. You would truly love him, you really would have.” She fondly remembered Braylon’s dreams of becoming a football player and attending college.
Sopko, who was 15 at the time of the shooting, was charged with homicide in March, with a bond set at $1 million. As the trial commences in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, LeFlore hopes to gain insight into the circumstances surrounding her son’s tragic death.
“It’s very hard for me,” LeFlore admitted. “I have rough hard nights since this occurred, and here we go revisiting the trauma all over again.” She emphasized the gravity of the situation, saying, “I understand he’s a kid, but when you have kids out here doing heinous adult acts, they need to be treated like adults.”
Following her loss, LeFlore has shifted her focus from parenting to raising awareness about the importance of parental involvement in children’s lives. She hopes that by sharing Braylon’s story, she can prevent other families from experiencing similar heartbreak.
“Be open with your kids. And the kids, be open with your parents because this could be y’all one day,” LeFlore warned. “This will be y’all parents crying, trying to fight for justice for you one day.”
