Update: Police have identified the victim as Brandon Cartellone.
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Sad and strange news coming out of one of Cleveland’s trendiest blocks. Early this morning a 21-year-old white guy was found shot to death in a Tremont apartment. According to police, along with evidence of the homicide, authorities also found a hydroponic marijuana growing system at the scene. The address — 2173 Professor Avenue — is right in Tremont’s sweet spot, at the intersection of Professor and Fairfield, just a football toss away from hip eats like Lolita and Dante.
Details are currently coming out at a slow creep. Cleveland police shot out a press release this morning with the bare facts. According to the cops, at some point around 1:00 Wednesday morning a friend of the victim — other media outlets are reporting it was a girlfriend — stopped by the apartment, found the door unlocked, and discovered the body upon entry.
This article appears in Jul 27 – Aug 2, 2011.
Shot out a press release? Shoot us an email? Really? Are there no other words to use?!
People are killing each other like it’s a sport. The question is: who’s supplying the guns? Every guy on the street has a gun. Who’s supplying them?
Jrummer, you do realize your critiquing a SCENE reporter right? This is the same reporter that uses: “21-year-old white guy”, “According to the cops” and “ring up the police”
Shot out a press release? Shoot us an email? Really? Are there no other words to use?! [2]
Why is it necessary to mention race? Would it be less significant (and tragic) if he were non-white??????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You are all fucking retarded. Someone was murdered over WEED and all you morons are doing is squabbling about bullshit. Let’s focus on the main point you dumb fucks.
the point is someone lost their life. you people just need to stop posting your ridiculousness.
You know, I knew this guy personally, and I can’t believe the bickering that is going on in this thread. Come on people, show a little decorum.
Fuck dat!! If the dude had’ve been black, it would’ve been more “bickering, squabbling and rediculousness,” posted. I feel bad that Brandon Cartellone lost his life, especially this way. Reality check people, white guys sell drugs too! And they’ll get merked just like anybody else. Just Say No!!!
Sad loss of life here. This young man died a horrible, painful death and most likely suffered greatly as he bled to death. That being said, Scene should hang its head in shame at the garbage bag of an article they tried to pass off as journalism.
It sucks that Tremont keeps getting a bad rap. It sounds like this young guy either invited the wrong people over for business or he got jacked on the street and forced into his residence. We can only imagine without the facts. Having a hydroponic marijuana growing system doesn’t really say much to me. I looked it up on-line and there is a small system called the Bucketeer DWC that works for one plant. Many of us have grown a pot plant in high school or college. I’m curious to know how much marijuana this kid was growing. My thoughts are with his family.
If the victim hasn’t been identified, how do they know he’s 21?
i knew him personally and have been to his house multiple times. seeing as how this is all people are concerned with- it was only a few plants and the profits he made went to funding his education. he was a truly great and caring person.
A very sad outcome over such a minor thing. And the casual language is unfortunate. My heart goes out to the family.
Brandon is my cousin, and I ask that you please comment with respect regarding condolences, positive memories, or anything factual / potentially helpful. Thank you
I am sure any other article on the site will provide opportunity to critique grammar, vocabulary, and any other topics that do not pertain to this despicable event, along with the grief of those who love and miss Brandon
My thoughts and prays go out to his family. It’s doesn’t surprise me that people look more at the fact that pot was there automatically ASSUMING it is a drug deal gone bad but tend to forget that in this case NOTHING was taken. Seriously common sense if he owed $ or if it was a rival dealer the cash would have been missing for sure. RollerOH – sorry for your loss
This is why “decriminalizing” MJ is so important. Incidents like this would probably not occur; it would stick a large enchilada up the collective asses of the MX drug cartel; and countless non-violent offenders would not rot in jail. Having said that, itis illegal and, therefore, attracts a criminal element. Be careful people!
How unbelievably tragic. I do hope people respect what his cousin is asking for. I have been through something similar and people don’t seem to realize that loved ones will read these kinds of things. They are already in enough pain without worrying about how complete strangers or people who actually knew him may be misrepresenting him or his lifestyle (which isn’t anyone’s business). It can complicate things emotionally, legally, etc. My heart goes out to his family.
regarding the lit candle memorials which show up every evening. Please, people, there are 5 other tenants in this building, unattended, lit candles in the doorway are a hazard. I’d hate to see the building burn down because of these candles. My deepest sympathy goes out to Brandon’s family. No person deserves to die that way.
I don’t get why people are getting mad at the others pointing out the insensitive wording. This article could have been written much better, and the use of “white guy” and “ring up” are far too casual when speaking of a death. However, “just a few plants” that went towards “funding his education” is complete BS so I, myself, am about to get insensitive. If you can’t afford school or need money there are plenty of scholarships, grants, work studies and jobs to be had. I imagine if I had a friend or family member who was shot to death I would be incredibly shocked and saddened, but also extremely aware of how those circumstances came to be. I find it offensive then, to ask students and people to donate to a charity named for him and “Rally for Justice” when hardly anyone remaining at the school knew him and no one is willing to share the truth of the gritty details. I am a CIA student and I had to Google him just to find out what happened. How about rallying for awareness of the perils of getting into drug dealing? Or promoting student job fairs to help students earn the money they need? I have known far too many people who have been robbed on the regular because of even minor drug dealing and I’m fed up with people being so nonchalant about it. It may pay the bills, and you may only sell to friends, but it’s dangerous. Friends and family of Brandon should absolutely continue in their search to find his killer, but if I see a single other item dedicated to him and supported by the school I swear to God, I’ll start a petition. This wasn’t cancer, or a car accident or someone who died attempting to save another person’s life, and I don’t want to give money to an institution that doesn’t see the difference. Something is wrong with society today when we’re moping over the loss of celebrities to coke-overdose and stories such as these. Real heroes act honorably even in their secret lives.