Ohio Student ‘Accidentally’ Shot, Killed by Young Relative Before Homecoming

Police in Ohio are sharing more details into the death of an 18-year-old high school senior, who was shot and killed before homecoming.

The 18-year-old — who was identified by his school as Lorain Success Academy senior Isaac Brocco Rivera — was found fatally shot at Lakeview Park in Lorain on Saturday, Oct. 18, according to WOIO-TV, WJW-TV and WKYC-TV, which cited the Lorain Police Department (LPD).

Police were dispatched to the area at around 6:44 p.m. following a report of shooting, per WOIO-TV. They found an unresponsive Rivera with a gunshot wound to his head inside a car parked, per the outlet.

“He was in the driver’s seat of his vehicle which was a gold jeep,” said LPD Captain Jacob Morris at the time, per WOIO-TV. He added that there had been teenagers taking pictures at the park for a homecoming dance, but it was unclear if anyone witnessed anything.

Officers initiated life-saving measures and the teen was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

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Police recovered a handgun from Lakeview Park on the evening of the incident; however, LPD said they believed that gun was not the one used in the shooting, per WJW-TV. They later recovered another handgun from a separate location, which they believed was the weapon that killed Rivera.

“Through exhaustive investigative efforts, detectives have learned that a juvenile family member who was present with Mr. Brocco Rivera was handling a firearm inside the vehicle,” said Morris.

“The firearm was accidentally discharged, fatally striking Mr. Brocco Rivera while both were seated in the car,” Morris added.

The LPD said that they were “working closely together” with county prosecutors to determine whether criminal charges should be brought forward, per WJW-TV. 

Lorain City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jeff Graham shared the news of Brocco Rivera’s death on Facebook on Oct. 19, writing, “It is with a heavy heart that we share that we tragically lost one of our high school students this weekend.”

He noted that they have “engaged’ their crisis team and would have “supports” available to students and staff. He concluded his statement, writing, “Hold your loved ones a little closer and a little tighter, and have a blessed evening.”

In a GoFundMe, Brocco Rivera’s family remembered the high school senior as a “cherished son, brother, and friend who brought so much love and light into our lives,” adding, “He left for his senior homecoming and never made it home.”