Darien Hobley, a 22-year-old man from Maple Heights, received an 8-10.5-year prison sentence in connection with a deadly shooting outside an AutoZone store in Bedford that killed Riley Jones, with whom he was in a relationship.
Hobley earlier pled guilty on February 2 to involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence, according to Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court records.
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Hobley became emotional during Tuesday’s sentencing session.
“I didn’t want to hurt her,” said Hobley. “I tried to help her out. I asked somebody to call 911. I tried to help, but I didn’t know what to do. And everything was so overwhelming. I just walked away. I just needed a new scenery.”
“I also want to say to the family, and I understand that my words cannot give back what has been taken from them or remove the memories that we have all shared…,” said Hobley. “I pray that the value of my words are receptive to their ears with the desire to give closure… I deeply and wholeheartedly apologize for my involvement of the loss of Riley Jones.”
After his remarks, Judge Hollie Gallagher clarified her observations upon watching the shooting video.
“This is why people Mr. Hobley’s age shouldn’t have a weapon. They are not operating on all cylinders yet. This is a really tragic tragic case,” said Judge Gallagher. “It’s just awful.”
In addition, Tonya Combs, Hobley’s mother, spoke prior to his sentencing, saying the following:
“I want to acknowledge the life that was lost. There are no words that can undo the loss. My heart aches with Riley Jones’ family, and I pray for their strength and comfort during this unimaginable pain. My son has pleaded guilty and has accepted responsibility for his actions. As his mother, there is no greater pain to know your child has caused harm. I do not stand before the court and excuse what happened. I stand to speak about my son I have known for 22 years. This was his first offense. He has never been in trouble before. He was working to build a future and plans to join the military for structural purposes and a chance to serve his country.”
Jones’ sister also expressed her heartbreak in her remarks.
“Her death has shattered not only our immediate family, but also her friends and our extended family. Riley was deeply loved and her absence is felt by many people whose lives are now forever changed. We lost our mother just one year before Riley. This pain has been unbearable.”
“She lost her life to someone she trusted, to someone who stood beside us and helped us carry out her mother’s body out of the church. That betrayal will stay with me forever.”
CASE DETAILS
The incident occurred Monday, August 4, 2025, outside the AutoZone store on Broadway Avenue.
According to Bedford Deputy Police Chief Rick Suts, the shooting occurred around 10 a.m. when Riley Jones, 20, of Shaker Heights, was shot in the chest. She later died in the hospital.
Judge Gallagher stated that surveillance video showed Jones following Hobley to the store. Hobley stopped behind Jones’s car, obstructing his path. The judge stated that Jones was extremely distressed as she approached his vehicle.
“The door opens and she leans in the car and within seconds, a shot’s fired and she’s on the ground,” said Gallagher.
Hobely told the court that he usually carried a gun and had no intention of hurting her.
“I just carried it on my person when I went anywhere. So when I was going into the AutoZone, I planned on having it on my person, not to hurt anyone. She reached for it. I just got scared,” said Hobley.
Police arrested Hobley near Magnolia Avenue, just a block from the shooting scene. Officials have previously confirmed that the victim and suspect knew each other.
Previously, on August 11, 2025, a Cuyahoga County grand jury indicted Hobley for the following charges:
- 2 counts of murder
- 2 counts of felonious assault
- 1 count of tampering with evidence
