Sentencing for man convicted in connection with murder of Painesville man

PREVIOUS: Man convicted of Painesville murder sentenced to 71 to 75 years to life in prison
Published: Oct. 1, 2026 at 9:40 AM EDT|Updated: 1 hour ago

LAKE COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO) - One of several people convicted in the murder of a Painesville man in downtown Painesville last summer, will be sentenced Thursday.

On July 7, Solomon J. Gaston, 19, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit aggravated murder, felonious assault and illegal discharge of a firearm.

Solomon Gaston
Solomon Gaston(Painesville Police)

According to Painesville police, Wyllyam Sheffey, Jr. was found dead in the driver’s seat of a vehicle in the intersection of N State Street and Rockwood Drive around 8 p.m. on June 7, 2025.

Other Suspects

In June, Aviantae Atterberry was found guilty of aggravated murder.

On Aug. 10, Atterberry was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Aviantae Atterberry
Aviantae Atterberry(Painesville Police)

On June 26, a jury found Zy’avier Jackson guilty of multiple charges; including, aggravated murder, murder, kidnapping, and felonious assault.

On Aug. 27, Jackson was sentenced to 71 to 75 years to life in prison.

Zy'avier Jackson
Zy'avier Jackson (Painesville Police)

On June 29, Avion Gaines was sentenced to 70 years to life in prison.

Avion Gaines
Avion Gaines (Painesville Police)

On June 26, Lakeisha Jackson was sentenced to 49 to 53 years to life in prison.

Lakeisha Jackson
Lakeisha Jackson(WOIO)

She was found guilty of:

  • Complicity in murder
  • Murder
  • Multiple counts of complicity to felonious assault
  • Multiple counts of kidnapping

RELATED: 20-year-old dead, 2 more injured after downtown Painesville shooting

Wyllyam James Sheffey, Jr.
Wyllyam James Sheffey, Jr.(Courtesy of GoFundMe)

Sheffey Jr.’s mother, Tiffany Phillips, said her son was a joy in their lives.

“Wyllyam is just a ball of joy. He loves making people laugh,” Phillips said. “He’s loved. He is love.”