Trio Pleads Guilty for Murder of Cleveland Beverage Store Owner and Numerous Other Armed Robberies Throughout County
3/10/2020
CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Keyshawn Smith, 19, Andre McKelvey, 19, and Robert McKelvey Jr., 22, all pled guilty for the murder of a 33-year-old beverage store owner and multiple armed robberies. The group targeted a retail business, gas stations, and convenience stores located in Cleveland, University Heights, and Maple Heights.
“This violent crime crew senselessly murdered Mr. Shahin and committed eight other armed robberies in a month,” said Prosecutor O’Malley. “Their widespread reign of terror was quickly brought to an end thanks to the swift and diligent work of Cleveland Police’s Homicide Unit.”
On February 5th, 2019, Cleveland Police (CPD) responded to a report of an armed robbery and shooting at a beverage store located in Cleveland near Lakeview Rd. and Durant Avenue. The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was transported to the hospital where he later died. CPD’s Homicide Unit identified Smith, McKelvey, and McKelvey Jr. as responsible for the murder.
Further investigation by CPD linked the trio to seven other armed robberies around Cuyahoga County:
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January 13th, 2019 – Maple Heights dollar store (near Dunham Rd./Wheeler Rd.)
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January 28th, 2019 – Cleveland dollar store (near E. 103rd St./St. Clair Ave.)
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January 28th, 2019 – Cleveland dollar store (near W. 130th St./Wilton Ave.)
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January 28th, 2019 – University Heights cellphone store (near Warrensville Center Rd./Lansdale Rd.)
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February 2nd, 2019 – University Heights gas station (near S. Green Rd./Cedar Rd.)
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February 2nd, 2019 – Cleveland gas station (near W. 117th St./Bellaire Rd.)
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February 2nd, 2019 – Cleveland gas station (near E. 185th St./Shawnee Ave.)
Smith was also identified and charged for a February 18th, 2019, armed robbery of another Cleveland dollar store near E. 73rd St. and St. Clair Avenue.
Smith pled guilty to Aggravated Murder and Aggravated Robbery. McKelvey and McKelvey Jr. both pled guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and Aggravated Robbery.
Smith and McKelvey will be sentenced on Thursday, April 2nd, at 10:00am. McKelvey Jr. will be sentenced on Monday, May 11th, at 10:00am.