Tavion Hollins

Tavion M. Hollins, a 29-year-old Black man from Cleveland, Ohio, was a cherished son, brother, and father whose life was defined by the love he had for his family and his unforgettable smile. Remembered by those who loved him as a man who brought joy to their lives, his sudden death left a void in the hearts of his relatives and many friends. His life was celebrated and mourned by a community that felt his loss deeply.

On the morning of Sunday, July 21, 2019, that life was tragically cut short in Cleveland’s St. Clair-Superior neighborhood. Around 11 a.m., a verbal argument broke out in a field near the intersection of East 61st Street and Bonna Avenue. The dispute escalated with shocking violence when one man pulled out a gun and shot the other. Emergency medical services responded to the scene and found Tavion with a critical gunshot wound to his head. He was immediately transported to University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, but his injuries proved fatal, and he died at the hospital.

The Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit launched an investigation into the killing. Detectives determined that the shooting stemmed from the argument that witnesses had described. Their investigation quickly led them to identify a suspect: 24-year-old Lamar Polk Jr. Based on the evidence they gathered, authorities issued a warrant for Polk's arrest, charging him with aggravated murder in connection with Tavion's death.

With a suspect identified but not in custody, the case escalated into a public manhunt. The United States Marshals Service and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force joined the search for Polk, designating him a "Fugitive of the Week" in early August 2019. They released his photograph and description—a Black male, approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and weighing 160 pounds—and warned the public that he was to be considered armed and dangerous. Law enforcement noted that Polk was known to frequent the area of East 123rd Street and Superior Avenue in Cleveland.

In the years following the shooting, law enforcement agencies continued their appeal for public assistance in locating the man charged with Tavion's murder. A reward was offered for any information that would directly lead to the capture of Lamar Polk. Despite the extensive search and media attention, Polk managed to evade apprehension, leaving the charge against him unresolved and Tavion's family waiting for justice.

The loss of Tavion Hollins has been a source of enduring pain for his family. They have been forced to navigate the years without the closure that a resolution in the criminal case might bring. The community where the tragedy occurred, St. Clair-Superior, is a historic Cleveland neighborhood that has contended with its share of challenges, and Tavion's death was a painful reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence.

As of the latest available information, the case remains open and active. The aggravated murder warrant for Lamar Polk Jr. is still outstanding, and he is considered a fugitive from justice. The Cleveland Division of Police and the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force continue to seek information that could lead to his arrest and finally bring the case to court. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Lamar Polk is urged to contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or to text the keyword “WANTED” along with a tip to 847411. Tipsters have the option to remain anonymous.