Arrests made in ambush and murder of CHL-holder Bill Singleton

August 14, 2004
Cleveland Plain Dealer

Three arrested in shooting death of Cleveland store owner
Proprietor was killed in robbery attempt

Police arrested a 19-year-old and two 17-year-olds on Friday in the shooting death of a popular Collinwood store owner.

Cleveland Police Commander Edward Tomba said tips from the neighborhood led detectives to arrest Arnold Shorter, 19, and the two juveniles on Friday at a house on East 148th Street.

Shorter also was wanted on charges of receiving stolen property and escaping from police custody, Tomba said. He would not release the names of the juveniles. All three are expected to be charged next week after police meet with prosecutors.

William Singleton, 59, exchanged gunfire early Aug. 3 with one of a group of would-be robbers, police said.

Singleton, owner of United Check Cashing, was shot in the chest moments after he arrived to open the Lake Shore Boulevard shop near East 156th Street.

He was legally armed and shot Rhyan Ikner, 17, in the head, police said. Ikner also died in the exchange.

Ward 11 Councilman Mike Polensek said he has set up a memorial fund at the Sky Bank branch on East 185th Street that will go to Singleton's widow, Alice, who lives in Solon.

Singleton's store is in Polensek's ward.

Polensek said Singleton "was a wonderful, decent man trying to better the neighborhood. Every improvement to the area, every new business that moves here, will be dedicated in his honor. We won't forget him."

Related Stories:
Councilman Polensek has ''long been a leader in pushing...[Cleveland] gun laws

Days after Plain Dealer ''outing''; CHL-holder Bill Singleton is dead