A grieving Ohio mother, LaShawnda Grier, is grappling with unimaginable pain after witnessing the violent deaths of her two children, Mariana Grier, 21, and Antwon Grier, 20.
The siblings were fatally shot on Tuesday evening, Dec. 10, in the parking lot of an apartment complex in Euclid, Ohio.
Gunfire erupted among a crowd, and both siblings were struck. Despite efforts to save them, they later succumbed to their injuries at a local hospital.
LaShawnda was present during the tragedy and held her son, Antwon, in her arms as he died.
A Mother’s Unbearable Grief
“As a mother, how do you pick which kid you are trying to save, and both of them down?” LaShawnda said in an emotional interview with WOIO.
Recalling the harrowing moments, she shared:
“All of us fell at the same time. I got up, my oldest daughter got up and ran up the hill, and I ran down the hill. I saw my son underneath the car, and my other one fell, and I picked him up, and he was so slumped.”
The shooting, according to LaShawnda, stemmed from a confrontation involving jealousy over a relationship.
She stated that a group of women—former co-workers of Mariana—had allegedly come to the apartment complex to confront her daughter. Antwon had been trying to defuse the escalating tension when the violence erupted.
“I know for a fact it was all over a boy,” LaShawnda told reporters. “They came there to ambush my kids.”
The Aftermath of a Senseless Tragedy
LaShawnda’s heartache is compounded by her determination to seek justice for her children. Euclid police are actively investigating the double homicide and have reportedly detained an 18-year-old woman allegedly connected to the incident.
“Euclid is doing a wonderful job, a wonderful job, and I applaud them for that,” LaShawnda said, expressing confidence in the authorities. “They know I don’t play about my kids. I’ma get justice for my kids. If it’s every breath that’s in my body, I’ma get it.”
A surveillance video from the night of the incident reportedly captured the group of women in the parking lot before the shooting. The Euclid Police Department has identified strong leads in the case as the investigation continues.
Remembering Mariana and Antwon
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support the Grier family with funeral expenses and financial relief.
The campaign describes Mariana and Antwon as “full of life, with bright futures ahead of them.”
“Antwon was known for his sense of humor and kind heart, always lifting others up, while Mariana was an incredible soul—compassionate, driven, and full of dreams for her future,” the campaign reads. “Together, they were a beautiful pair whose spirits will forever be missed.”
A Community’s Call for Justice
As LaShawnda navigates this devastating loss, her focus remains on honoring the memory of her children and ensuring those responsible are held accountable.
This tragedy underscores the urgent need for addressing gun violence and fostering safer communities to prevent further heartbreak for families like the Griers.
