Authorities say a domestic disturbance in East Cleveland late Thursday night escalated into a deadly shooting that left two family members dead, two police officers injured, and the suspect in custody.
According to East Cleveland Police, officers were called to a home in the 1900 block of North Taylor Road around 11 p.m. for reports of a domestic dispute. Investigators believe 24-year-old Aaron Lorenzo Sharp fatally shot two relatives before opening fire on responding officers.
Officer Joshua Durda, a four-year veteran of the force, was shot in the leg upon arrival. Moments later, a ShotSpotter alert led police to a nearby location where Officer Brandon Hernandez, on the force for one year, was shot in the buttocks. Both officers were taken to University Hospitals, where Hernandez was treated and released Friday. Durda is expected to remain hospitalized for several days.
East Cleveland Mayor Lateek Shabazz said both officers are expected to recover. “We’re grateful their injuries are not life-threatening,” he said.
The two homicide victims have not been publicly identified, but officials confirmed both were related to the suspect. The younger victim was pronounced dead at the scene, while the older victim died at a hospital.
Sharp was arrested several hours later near Shaw High School in the 1800 block of Sheldon Avenue after a multi-agency search involving Cleveland Heights Police, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, Shaker Heights Police, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and University Circle Police.
East Cleveland Safety Director Reginald Holcomb told reporters Sharp posted on Instagram after shooting the two officers.
Court records show Sharp has a prior criminal history, including a 2021 arrest in Parma for drug abuse and possession of paraphernalia, for which he was found guilty in 2023 and fined $1,500. He also has multiple traffic citations in Cleveland and currently has active warrants.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the official identities and causes of death of the victims. Sharp is expected to face two counts of aggravated murder, multiple counts of felonious assault, and other charges.
East Cleveland resident Clifford Wilson, who has lived in the area for decades, said the violence has become far too familiar. “I don’t want to see police getting shot. I don’t want to see anyone in this area getting shot. We need this cleaned up,” Wilson said.