Suspect Wanted for Attempted Murder Commits Suicide as Officers Approach Home

Cleveland, OH – Late this afternoon, members of the U.S. Marshals led Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force (NOVFTF) attempted to arrest Dionte Hawthorne Jr., 24.  Hawthorne was wanted by the Brooklyn Police Department for attempted murder.

According to Brooklyn Police, early this morning, before 6:00 am, Hawthorne entered an apartment without permission, in the 300 block of Northridge Oval in Brooklyn, Ohio.  In the apartment he encountered two people.  Hawthorne shot the male victim twice and then threatened to shoot the female victim before he fled from the apartment.  Brooklyn Police contacted the NOVFTF in regard to the fugitive investigation early this morning. 

Late this afternoon, members of the NOVFTF attempted to arrest Hawthorne at an address in the 6400 block of Scovill Ave. in Cleveland.  When officers knocked on the door, they spoke with two women who confirmed that Hawthorn was in fact in the home.  As officers tried to call out to Hawthorne they heard gunfire.  The Cuyahoga County SWAT team was activated to assist.  Eventually, Hawthorne was located inside the home with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.  He was pronounced deceased at the scene.  No other injuries to law enforcement or the public are reported.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott stated, “This is a difficult conclusion to this case for everyone involved.  Law enforcement always hopes for and works towards no further violence during arrest attempts.”

Anyone with information concerning a wanted fugitive can contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED (1-866-492-6833), or you can submit a web tip. Reward money is available, and tipsters may remain anonymous.  Follow the U.S. Marshals on Twitter @USMSCleveland.  

The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force – Cleveland Division is composed of the following federal, state and local agencies:  U.S. Marshals Service, Cleveland Police Department, Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Police Department, Euclid Police Department, Ohio Adult Parole Authority, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Independence Police Department, Parma Police Department, Aurora Police Department, Solon Police Department, Cleveland RTA Police Department, Westlake Police Department, Bedford Police Department, Middleburg Heights Police Department, Newburgh Heights Police Department and the Metrohealth Police Department.