CLEVELAND — Four people involved in the fatal shooting of 3-year-old Luis Diaz were sentenced Tuesday in Cuyahoga County Court, bringing a tragic case to a close nearly a year and a half after the child’s death.
Luis was killed on September 28, 2023, while sitting in his car seat during a shooting in Cleveland.
Juan Davis and Devonte Parker, found guilty last week of murder, attempted murder, felonious assault, and involuntary manslaughter, were each sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 49 years by Judge Shannon Gallagher.
Two other defendants, Katherine Treadway and Jayden Sorensen, who was 16 at the time of the crime, previously accepted plea deals. Treadway received a sentence of 20 to 25 years, while Sorensen was sentenced to 11 to 15 years.
During the hearing, Luis’s grandmother tearfully addressed the court. “I want justice for my baby. They took him away. He was our hero. My life is not the same without him,” she said.
His grandfather also spoke, expressing his grief and gratitude. “I never thought this would happen to my family, but it did. Now when I see these cases on the news, I cry,” he said, thanking authorities for their swift action in capturing those responsible.
A Deadly Dispute
Prosecutors said the violence stemmed from a conflict between Treadway and her 22-year-old neighbor. Following an argument, Treadway contacted Davis—her boyfriend at the time—who was already facing domestic violence and intimidation charges against her.
Davis, accompanied by Parker and Sorensen, drove to a duplex near West 66th Street and Denison Avenue. Prosecutors say Parker and Sorensen exited the vehicle and opened fire.
The gunfire struck a car where the 22-year-old woman sat with her two young children. Luis was hit in the back and later died at the hospital. The child’s father, standing outside the vehicle, was shot in the foot but survived.
Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley condemned the defendants’ actions. “Three-year-old Luis Diaz died because these four defendants are simply idiots,” he said in a statement. “The issues between Katherine Treadway and Juan Davis led these four to shoot up a car and kill a child. Simply outrageous.”
Court records indicate the 22-year-old mother was a witness in Davis’s pending domestic violence case. On the day of the shooting, Treadway allegedly told Davis via text that she would not testify against him—leaving the young mother as the only witness.
Defendants Express Regret
Before receiving his sentence, Sorensen apologized to the family. “I want to first apologize to the victim, his family, my family, and the court,” he said. He revealed he had recently learned of the birth of his daughter, which shifted his perspective.
Treadway also addressed the court, offering a brief apology for her role.
Davis, who received the harshest penalty alongside Parker, expressed remorse during his sentencing. “I’m sorry to the family. I wish I could bring him back. I apologize,” he said.
The sentences aim to bring a measure of justice to Luis’s family as they continue to grieve the devastating loss of a child described as kind-hearted and beloved by those who knew him.