34-year-old man found shot to death

Youngstown records its 18th homicide of the year

YOUNGSTOWN -- City police detectives are investigating the death of a local rapper who was found Thursday evening in the 400 block of Almyra Avenue with gunshot wounds.

Investigators stated the 34-year-old man, identified by the Mahoning County Coroner's office as Chris Cordero of East Boston Avenue, was operating a motorized scooter carrying a woman as a passenger when he was struck by gunfire. Cordero, a local rap singer, was taken to St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital's trauma center, where he was pronounced dead.

According to a police report, the call came about 8:40 p.m. Thursday. The report identified the scooter as a Wolf GX-150 model.

The woman did not suffer any injuries and was not identified in the police report.

A police report in May 2020 stated that Cordero's neighborhood around Boston Avenue near Erie Street has been plagued by gunfire. The report also stated officers were frequently called to Cordero's address -- 37 times in 29 days during one period last year. One day in May 2020, 18 shots were recorded by police during an afternoon episode in the neighborhood.

Cordero's home also was known for late-night parties, including one during the coronavirus lockdown where two people were charged with violating the state's stay-at-home order. Cordero, however, was not charged.

Cordero's performing name was "Crazy Chris." He told a newspaper reporter last spring he believes people fired shots at his house because they don't like that he is popular with women, and they want to shut down the parties.

"I'm just a target," Cordero said last spring. "People don't like me, mainly because of girls I'm guessing. They're miserable. They're mad that I'm having fun."

The Mahoning County Coroner's office ruled the death a homicide, the 18th in the city so far in 2021.

Police are asking that anyone with information about the shooting to call 330-746 CLUE. Callers will remain anonymous will be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to the arrests of any suspects. Witnesses can also call the police tip line at 330-742-8929.