SAVAGE CHURCH ATTACK SHOCKS COMMUNITY – Deacon Brutally Beaten in Broad Daylight; Drug-Fueled Violence Raises Alarm
Min. Dale Edwards, Executive Director of Call and Post CLEVELAND — What unfolded last Sunday on East 105th Street is the kind of violence neighbors say does not happen every day — and should never happen at all. In a shocking and deeply disturbing incident outside the Historic Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church, a respected church […] The post SAVAGE CHURCH ATTACK SHOCKS COMMUNITY – Deacon Brutally Beaten in Broad Daylight; Drug-Fueled Violence Raises Alarm appeared first on Call and Post.
Black News 
Min. Dale Edwards, Executive Director of Call and Post
CLEVELAND — What unfolded last Sunday on East 105th Street is the kind of violence neighbors say does not happen every day — and should never happen at all.
In a shocking and deeply disturbing incident outside the Historic Greater Abyssinia Baptist Church, a respected church leader, Deacon Ronald “Ron” Kisner, was the victim of a savage and nearly fatal beating that has left a congregation shaken and a community searching for answers.
The attack occurred March 22, as church members were preparing for service activities near the intersection of East 105th Street, Grantwood, and Tacoma Avenues. Witnesses say two young men, reportedly under the influence of powerful hallucinogenic drugs, were harassing women delivering supplies to the church.
Deacon Kisner, chairman of the church’s Deacon Ministry and widely known for his calm leadership and service, stepped in to protect the women and defuse the situation.
Instead, he became the target.
What followed, witnesses say, was a sudden and unprovoked explosion of violence.
The assailant allegedly hurled Deacon Kisner down a set of stairs before launching into a relentless and brutal assault — punching him repeatedly in the head and face with such force that onlookers feared for his life.
“It was beyond anything you expect to see,” one witness said. “This wasn’t a fight — it was an attempt to destroy a man.”
Authorities believe the attack may have continued had the suspect not been interrupted by the arrival of Co-Pastor Rev. Theophilus James Caviness Sr., whose presence appears to have halted the assault.
In a chilling display of indifference, the suspect reportedly returned to a nearby porch and sat calmly as if nothing had occurred. Witnesses quickly identified him to police, and he was taken into custody at the scene without incident.
He now faces charges including attempted murder.
A COMMUNITY ON EDGE
While the brutality of the attack has stunned even longtime residents, community leaders say it is also a symptom of a deeper and growing crisis — the unchecked spread of dangerous drugs in neighborhoods already under strain.
“This level of violence is not normal,” said one church member. “But the conditions that lead to it — the drugs, the instability — those are becoming far too common.”
Local advocates warn that the proliferation of mind-altering substances is eroding the very fabric of community life — fueling unpredictable behavior, increasing crime, and placing enormous strain on families, churches, and public systems.
What happened to Deacon Kisner, they say, is not just an isolated tragedy, but a warning.
LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY
Deacon Kisner survived the attack but faces a difficult and uncertain recovery. Friends and family say he will require extensive medical treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation, in the months ahead.
Known as a man of quiet strength and unwavering faith, he is now relying on the same community he has long served.
Supporters have organized financial assistance efforts to help cover medical expenses and aid in his recovery.
A CALL TO ACTION
As the investigation continues, many are left grappling with how such violence could erupt in a place meant for worship, service, and peace.
“This was a sacred space,” another witness said. “And what happened here reminds us that we cannot ignore what’s happening in our streets.”
For now, the image of a devoted servant of the church being beaten nearly to death in broad daylight lingers heavily — a stark reminder that while such brutality may not happen every day, its impact can last a lifetime.
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The post SAVAGE CHURCH ATTACK SHOCKS COMMUNITY – Deacon Brutally Beaten in Broad Daylight; Drug-Fueled Violence Raises Alarm appeared first on Call and Post.
