Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Deadly Gas Station Shooting

CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Eric Yates, 36, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of a man, 27, at a gas station in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood.  

“After arguing with the victim, this individual left and then returned to the scene and fired numerous shots, killing the victim and injuring a bystander in the process,” said Prosecutor O’Malley. “Our thoughts and prayers remain with the victim’s family.” 

On January 10, 2019, Yates argued with the victim and the victim’s cousin, 14, in a gas station parking lot near East 105th Street and Somerset Avenue. Yates drove away but returned approximately two minutes later, walked behind a dumpster, and fired several shots at the victim and teenager before fleeing the scene. Cleveland Police (CPD), Cleveland Emergency Medical Services, and the Cleveland Fire Department responded to the scene. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the chest and was transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. A woman, 27, was also injured in the shooting. The teenage victim was unharmed. 

The investigation conducted by CPD’s Homicide Unit identified Yates as the offender. Video surveillance placed Yates at the scene.  During an interview at the Justice Center, Yates became enraged, threw hot coffee on a homicide detective, and was arrested.  

In March 2020, following a jury trial, Yates was found guilty of the following charges:

• One count of Aggravated Murder 
• One count of Murder 
• Three counts of Felonious Assault 
• One count of Attempted Murder 
• One count of Assault (on a Peace Officer)
• One count of Having Weapons Under Disability

He was sentenced to life in prison, with first eligibility of parole after serving 53 years.