16-year-old Brandon Marshall had dropped out of school and was about to return when, on the evening of September 7th, he was gunned down on his way to his aunt's house. Police believe the reason was that he didn't possess a "hood pass," or permission to cross gang territory.
Mayor Frank Jackson says the high reward reflects the city's intent to seriously address crime on Cleveland streets.
Frank Jackson: We wanna deliver a message that we will not tolerate crime in the City of Cleveland, particularly homicide.
Mayor Jackson, Brandon's, parents and community leaders pleaded for help in the 4-week-old case Thursday morning. George Forbes, chairman of the NAACP, says his organization contributed $25,000 of the reward because residents have a right to live in peace.
George Forbes: We get it all the time from the NAACP -- "They say hey look get these kids off the street. Older people can't leave the house," But, I would hope and think that $30,000, that it'd be a whole lotta calls coming in before this afternoon.
Mayor Jackson says he hopes the reward will dispel fear of coming forward with information. There have been 103 murders in the city this year.
Tasha Flournoy, 90.3.