Murder investigation takes a twist

Suspect turns himself in and is released; Police seek another East Cleveland man

Suspect turns himself in and is released; Police seek another East Cleveland man.

An East Cleveland man wanted in connection with a murder in Elyria has been released after turning himself in to police.

After the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force had offered a reward for information leading to the capture of Saint-Velle Pruitt, 18, who was the Fugitive of the Week, Pruitt surrendered to authorities about 4:50 p.m. with his family, according to Elyria police Capt. Chris Costantino.

Pruitt, 18, who last lived in the 14100 block of Northfield Avenue in East Cleveland, was wanted by the U.S. Marshals Service and Elyria Police Department on an aggravated murder charge in the shooting death of Willie Fisher, 47, at 6:15 p.m. July 6, the release said.

Elyria police officers responded to a report of shots fired behind a convenience store in the 1400 block of East Avenue.

During the investigation, Elyria police identified three suspects and issued aggravated murder warrants for Pruitt, Bruce Arnoff, 56, and John P. Sullivan, 29.

Arnoff and Sullivan have been arrested, the release said.

During an interview with detectives, Pruitt adamantly denied he was involved in the murder of Fisher, and told investigators another individual, Patrick M. Gall, 18, of East Cleveland was known to use Pruitt’s name during police encounters.

After reviewing body camera footage of a traffic stop on I-480 by the Brooklyn Heights Police Department, detectives determined the male in the video was not Pruitt, but actually Gall, as confirmed through booking photographs through the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office, the release said.

As a result, Pruitt was released from custody and arrest warrants were issued for Gall for aggravated murder.

Elyria police detectives and members of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force are searching for Gall. He is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information on Gall’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Elyria Police Department at 440-323-3302 or U.S. Marshals Service at 1-866-4WANTED.

After reviewing body camera footage of a traffic stop on I-480 by the Brooklyn Heights Police Department, detectives determined the male in the video was not Pruitt, but actually Gall

Gall