Man Pleads Guilty in Shooting Death of Woman Walking Her Dog
A defendant has entered guilty pleas related to the shooting death of a 58-year-old woman who was walking her dog in a park, with Fox 8 I-Team cameras capturing the moment.
On January 17, 2019, Shelia Wallace was shot and killed in McGowan Park by one of two young men she encountered while walking her dog. On Wednesday, DaJuan Evans pleaded guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and felonious assault.
Following his plea, Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Judge Nancy Margaret Russo sentenced Evans to 15 years in prison. His attorney expressed that Evans is remorseful for the incident.
Evans did not know Wallace, and the motive for the shooting remains undisclosed. Katie Wallace, Shelia’s daughter, stated that the family accepted the plea deal, honoring what they believe her mother would have wanted.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Mike O’Malley expressed satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the dedication of Cleveland Homicide detectives who tirelessly pursued the case. “We are glad the family now has closure,” O’Malley said.