The Case of David Perez

David Perez was fatally shot during a targeted drive-by attack on Interstate 77 in Ohio, leading to the conviction and lengthy prison sentence of Ian Rich. On April 28, 2024, Rich followed David Perez and his wife, Jacqueline "Jackie" Perez, from their home in Newburgh Heights onto Interstate 77 before pulling alongside their pickup truck and firing multiple rounds. David died from his injuries while Jackie survived. Rich was arrested shortly after fleeing the scene, later pleaded guilty, and was sentenced to 40 to 46 years in prison.

David Perez, 57, and his wife Jackie left their home in Newburgh Heights on the afternoon of April 28, 2024. Unknown to them, their neighbour, Ian Rich, began following their vehicle. Investigators later determined Rich deliberately pursued the couple from their neighbourhood onto Interstate 77 South through Cuyahoga Heights. As traffic moved along the interstate, Rich accelerated alongside the Perez vehicle and opened fire, striking both David and Jackie multiple times before speeding away. Motorists reported the shooting, and emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene. David was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead, while Jackie survived her injuries. The seemingly unprovoked attack shocked northeast Ohio and raised questions about Rich's escalating behaviour before the shooting, including repeated police interactions involving concerns about his mental health.

The shooting occurred on Interstate 77 South in Cuyahoga Heights after Rich followed the victims from Newburgh Heights. Investigators determined Rich deliberately pulled alongside David Perez's pickup truck before firing multiple rounds through the vehicle. David suffered fatal gunshot wounds while Jackie was seriously injured. After the attack, Rich fled the interstate but was located a short time later by Bratenahl police officers on Interstate 90, where he was taken into custody without further violence. The crime scene was processed by Cuyahoga Heights police investigators, who recovered ballistic evidence and documented the damage to the victims' vehicle.

Investigators established that Rich intentionally targeted the Perez family after following them from their neighbourhood. Evidence included witness statements, surveillance footage, physical evidence and Rich's movements before and after the shooting. Rather than proceeding to trial, Rich pleaded guilty in May 2025 to involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder and discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited premises. Prosecutors stated the plea spared Jackie Perez and the victims' family from reliving the events during a lengthy trial. Following the criminal case, Jackie Perez filed a civil lawsuit against Ian Rich and members of the Newburgh Heights Police Department, alleging authorities were aware of Rich's deteriorating mental health and access to firearms before the shooting occurred.

On June 5, 2025, Ian Rich was sentenced in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas to 40 to 46 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary manslaughter, attempted murder and discharging a firearm on or near a prohibited premises. David Perez's family delivered emotional victim impact statements during sentencing, while Jackie Perez described losing "the love of my life."

The case received significant public attention because it stemmed from an apparent neighbourhood dispute that escalated into a deadly highway shooting. It also prompted scrutiny of previous police interactions with Ian Rich after reports revealed numerous calls involving concerns about his mental health prior to the attack. Jackie Perez later pursued civil action alleging authorities failed to remove firearms from Rich despite those concerns.