The sister of Cleveland Cavaliers director of scouting Brandon Weems was fatally shot, and LeBron James and Cavs general manager Koby Altman are among those seeking answers.
Ericka Weems, 37, was found shot dead in her West Akron, Ohio, home Monday afternoon. Brandon Weems and James are childhood friends and former teammates at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. James is the Cavs’ all-time leader in games played and coming off a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers.
AKRON OHIO!! My brother’s sister was murdered this past weekend in her home! My brother family need answers to why and by whom. My city I need y’all to go to work and find out who did this awful, shameful, disgusting thing to such a caring, loving angel! #Justice4EricaWeems❤️💔
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 4, 2020
Meanwhile, Cavaliers general manager Koby Altman released a statement Wednesday evening.
Statement from GM Koby Altman regarding the tragic death of Ericka Weems pic.twitter.com/wJ0rtYZJSw
— Cleveland Cavaliers (@cavs) November 4, 2020
Ericka Weems recently ran a daycare in Columbus but moved back to Akron last year to be closer to her family, her father Darrell Weems told the Akron Beacon Journal.
“She’s a spectacular person,” Darrell Weems said. “I don’t know why anybody would want to hurt her.”
Cavaliers forward Larry Nance Jr., another Akron native, tweeted out a call for justice.
Akron we need your help to find justice for Ericka and the Weems family!! ❤️ https://t.co/TiAmbSrG1N
— Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) November 4, 2020
Brandon Weems played at Walsh (Ohio) University after high school and has served as the University of Kentucky’s assistant director of basketball operations. Likely not by coincidence, he joined the Cavs when James returned to the organization in 2014.
“I make sure I look out for him,” James once said of Weems. “He’s my little brother.”
Weems’ mother Brenda Weems died of cancer in 2006 at the age of 45. Brenda Weems was godmother to both LeBron and son Bronny Jr.
Akron police have yet to make an arrest or identify any suspects in the case.
Love you brother !!! She was truly special and loved by all!!! #JusticeforErickaWeems 💙💙 https://t.co/HZ8OVRZtYo
— Brandon Weems (@BrandonWeems10) November 4, 2020