CANTON, Ohio — The quiet of Ellis Avenue Northeast was shattered late Friday night when 12-year-old Thomas Lucas was shot inside his family home. Hours later, the 15-year-old suspect, his own brother, turned himself in to Canton police, bringing a harrowing chapter to a close for a grieving community.
Police were called to 3623 Ellis Ave. NE just after 10:40 p.m. after a frantic 911 call reported gunfire in the residence. Officers and paramedics found young Thomas suffering from a gunshot wound inside the home. He was rushed to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital but did not survive his injuries.
Investigators quickly identified 15-year-old Amir Pepe Lucas, Thomas’s older brother, as the suspect in the shooting. Hours after the incident, Amir was missing and listed as endangered, and authorities warned the public that he should be considered armed and dangerous. An arrest warrant charging him with reckless homicide was issued Saturday afternoon.
In a somber statement, Canton Police Chief John Gabbard urged Amir to give himself up safely. The chief emphasized concern not just for justice, but for the young suspect’s wellbeing amid a tragedy that has left a family and neighborhood in shock. Gabbard’s words reflected both heartbreak and a hope that no one else would be hurt.
Descriptions provided by police said Amir stood about 5-foot-8 and weighed around 160 pounds, with brown eyes and brown hair. Authorities canvassed the area and appealed for help from local residents in locating the teenager during the hours he was unaccounted for.
By late Saturday, law enforcement confirmed that Amir had surrendered to police. Details of his arrest and the condition in which he was found have not been fully released, but officers confirmed that he was taken into custody without further violence.
Neighbors described a scene of disbelief. Families on the block said they were shaken that such a tragedy could unfold in what they thought was a safe, ordinary neighborhood. Parents spoke quietly about watching their own children play nearby just days before.
Local authorities have asked anyone with information about the case to contact the Canton Police Detective Bureau or the communications center, with options for anonymous tips through community tip lines. As the legal process now begins, friends and community members are left trying to make sense of a loss that no family should endure.
