Trio Sentenced for Murder of Cleveland Beverage Store Owner, Numerous Armed Robberies During 24-Day Countywide Crime Wave

CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Keyshawn Smith, 20, Andre McKelvey, 19, and Robert McKelvey Jr., 22, were sentenced for the murder of a Cleveland beverage store owner, and multiple armed robberies.  Over 24 days, the group committed armed robberies of retail businesses, gas stations, and convenience stores located in Cleveland, University Heights, and Maple Heights.

“Few crime sprees outmatch the havoc that this group inflicted upon our community, which sadly resulted in the death of Mr. Shahin,” said Prosecutor O’Malley.  “I hope that the sentences imposed today bring some peace to his family.”

On February 5, 2019, Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) responded to a report of an armed robbery and shooting at a beverage store located in Cleveland near Lakeview Road and Durant Avenue.  The victim, a 33-year-old Rocky River man, suffered a gunshot wound to the head and was transported to the hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.  CDP’s Homicide Unit connected Smith, McKelvey, and McKelvey Jr. to the crime scene.  Smith was identified as the shooter.

Further investigation by CDP linked the trio to seven other armed robberies around Cuyahoga County:

• January 13, 2019 – Maple Heights dollar store (near Dunham Road / Wheeler Road)
• January 28, 2019 – Cleveland dollar store (near East 103rd Street / St. Clair Avenue)
• January 28, 2019 – Cleveland dollar store (near West 130th Street / Wilton Avenue)
• January 28, 2019 – University Heights cellphone store (near Warrensville Center Road / Lansdale Road) 
• February 2, 2019 – University Heights gas station (near South Green Road / Cedar Road)
• February 2, 2019 – Cleveland gas station (near West 117th Street / Bellaire Road)
• February 2, 2019 – Cleveland gas station (near East 185th Street / Shawnee Avenue)

Smith was also identified and charged for an armed robbery of another Cleveland dollar store near East 73rd Street and St. Clair Avenue on February 18, 2019.

Smith pled guilty to Aggravated Murder and Aggravated Robbery.  He was sentenced to life in prison, with first eligibility of parole after serving 30 years.

McKelvey and McKelvey Jr. both pled guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter and Aggravated Robbery, and were sentenced to 21 years and 14 years in prison, respectively.