BEDFORD, OH — As reported by Cleveland 19 News, a woman was shot and killed Monday morning outside the AutoZone store on the 300 block of Broadway Avenue in Bedford. According to Bedford Police Deputy Chief Rick Suts, the incident occurred following a verbal altercation between the woman and a man in the parking lot. During the argument, the man allegedly shot the woman once in the chest.
After the shooting, the man reportedly entered the store, instructed employees to call 911, and then fled the scene on foot. Responding officers found the woman unresponsive. She was transported by EMS to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced dead.
Police located the suspect shortly after the incident on nearby Magnolia Avenue. Officials stated that the man’s attempt to flee by vehicle was thwarted because another car had blocked him in, forcing him to flee on foot. This helped officers apprehend him quickly.
The identities of both the victim and the suspect have not yet been released. This marks Bedford’s second homicide of the year; the first was connected to a dispute that began in Cleveland.
Deputy Chief Suts emphasized that the shooting was not random, noting that the individuals involved were acquainted. He added that there is no ongoing threat to the public, as the suspect is in custody and the situation was not related to a robbery or random violence.
According to updates, the victim has been identified as 20-year-old Riley Jones of Shaker Heights. The suspect, 22-year-old Darien Hobley of Maple Heights, pleaded not guilty during his arraignment in Bedford Municipal Court on Tuesday. His bond was set at $2 million. According to court documents, eyewitnesses reported that Hobley stood over Jones after the shooting. Police noted that he had blood on his clothing at the time of his arrest. Officers apprehended him shortly after the incident on a nearby road, aided by the fact that his vehicle had been blocked in, preventing him from driving away.
Based on further updates from WKYC Studios, on August 11, a Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted Darien Hobley on two counts of murder, two counts of felonious assault, and one count of tampering with evidence in connection with the shooting death of Riley Jones. During a court appearance on Tuesday, Hobley was arraigned and given a $1 million bond. He was also ordered by Judge Kira Krivosh to have no contact with the victim’s family as the legal process moves forward.
Note: Updated on 8/6/2025 as more information was provided.
Note: Updated on 8/14/2025 as further updates were provided.
