Demarcus Sanders Sentenced For Warrensville Heights Killing

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, OH — Demarcus Sanders was sentenced to life in prison this week for killing a Warrensville Heights man during an argument in 2018. Sanders shot the man twice with a shotgun before rifling through his pockets and running back home, prosecutors said.

“This defendant knew at the time what he was doing was wrong and he was held to account under Ohio law,” said Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O’Malley. “Our thoughts remain with the victim’s family during this difficult time.”

Sanders, 23, argued his schizophrenia played a role in the killing. His tearful mother told a court no one would help her son, even after he dropped out of college, according to Cleveland 19.

On Nov. 4, 2018, Sanders and a 39-year-old Warrensville Heights man got into an argument outside Sanders' home. Sanders then went into his house, found his shotgun, and chased the man, prosecutors said.

Sanders fired once, missing the man, then chased him 800 feet and fired again — hitting the man in the back and head, prosecutors said. Sanders then went through the man's pockets, took cash and then ran home, according to prosecutors.

The 39-year-old was declared dead at the site of the shooting. Witnesses identified Sanders as the shooter, court documents said. Surveillance footage helped police understand what happened, prosecutors said.

Sanders refused to turn himself over to police and a SWAT unit used tear gas to try and force him out of his house. Officers eventually forced their way into the house. They found him hiding beneath blankets in a bathroom, prosecutors said. The shotgun was found beneath a bed in the house.

Sanders waived his right to a jury trial. A judge sentenced him on Wednesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 26 years.