Shooting At Gas Station: Cleveland Man Pleads Guilty To Slaying

CLEVELAND — James Hannah pleaded guilty to killing an 81-year-old man at a Cleveland gas station last April, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Hannah, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of aggravated murder, two counts of attempted murder, and one count of tampering with evidence. He will be sentenced June 2 at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center.

“This individual randomly gunned down an 81-year-old man at a gas station for no apparent reason,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley. “He should spend the rest of his life sitting behind bars.”

On April 5, 2020, Hannah walked toward a gas station on Kinsman Road and began shooting randomly at customers and cars, prosecutors said. The 81-year-old man tried to run, but Hannah shot him in the back and then stood over him and fired several more rounds, prosecutors said.

When police arrived, the 81-year-old had been shot in the head, back and arms. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead, prosecutors said.

Hannah was found hiding in a backyard on E. 126th Street. Police found a gun and extended magazine in his possession, prosecutors said.

Investigators linked Hannah to the slaying using DNA evidence, forensic ballistics, surveillance video and eyewitnesses. DNA evidence from the gun, magazine and shell casings all matched Hannah.