Timothy Kappenhagen Obituary, Death – On Saturday afternoon, a shooting in a Maple Heights grocery store parking lot led to the death of a 28-year-old man the following morning. Authorities identified the victim as Timothy Kappenhagen, who succumbed to his injuries just before 7 a.m. on Sunday.
The incident took place at the Giant Eagle located at 5321 Warrensville Center Road. Maple Heights Police Department (MHPD) officers were dispatched to the store’s parking lot around 1:40 p.m. on Saturday after receiving reports of a shooting.
According to police, Kappenhagen had been placing groceries into his car when an unidentified suspect approached him. A physical struggle reportedly broke out between the two, during which the suspect appeared to fire a gun, striking Kappenhagen in the chest.
Following the shooting, the suspect allegedly stole Kappenhagen’s vehicle and fled the scene. Emergency responders transported the victim to a local hospital, where he remained in critical condition until his death the next morning.
Law enforcement later recovered the stolen vehicle, though no arrests have been made at this time. Investigators have not released details about the suspect’s identity, possible motive, or whether the two men knew each other prior to the confrontation.
In a public statement, Giant Eagle expressed condolences and emphasized cooperation with police, stating, “Our thoughts are with the victim of today’s violent act that took place in the parking lot of the Southgate Giant Eagle. We are working closely with law enforcement to assist in its investigation.”
The Maple Heights Police Department confirmed that the case remains open and active, with detectives pursuing leads and gathering evidence to determine the full circumstances surrounding the incident. Officials are urging anyone with information to come forward, as the suspect is still at large.
The shooting has left local residents shocked, as such violent crimes are rare in the area. Many community members expressed concern about public safety, especially in places where families shop and carry out routine errands.
Authorities have not indicated whether the incident may have been an attempted robbery, a targeted attack, or a random act of violence. The investigation will rely heavily on eyewitness accounts, surveillance footage from the parking lot, and forensic evidence collected from the recovered vehicle.
As the probe continues, police are emphasizing the importance of public assistance in locating the suspect. They are asking anyone who may have been in the vicinity of the Giant Eagle parking lot between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday to report anything unusual they saw or heard.
The loss of Timothy Kappenhagen has underscored the sudden and devastating impact of violent crime. Friends, family, and community members are now left mourning his death while seeking justice for the life taken in a seemingly ordinary moment—loading groceries into a car.
The MHPD reiterated that they will release further updates as more information becomes available and as investigators work to piece together the events leading to the tragic shooting.
