Crime
Cuyahoga County Grand Jury Indicts 18-Year-Old in Fatal Shooting of Two Teens Found in Stolen Car
Police found 17-year-old Khalyn White and 16-year-old Julius Barron, both deceased from gunshot wounds to the head.
An 18-year-old Cleveland man has been indicted by a Cuyahoga County grand jury in connection with the shooting deaths of a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old, both of whom were found deceased inside a stolen vehicle with gunshot wounds to the head.
According to a news release from Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael OโMalley, officers responded around 1 a.m. on January 14 to reports of a stolen vehicle that had crashed into a utility pole near Warner Road and Jefferies Avenue in Cleveland.
Upon arrival, officers discovered Phoenix Brown, 18, of Cleveland, walking away from the crash site with his clothing covered in blood.
Brown attempted to flee the scene and was apprehended after a brief foot chase along Force Avenue, during which he allegedly discarded a firearm.
Authorities used a mobile fingerprint scanner to confirm his identity after he initially refused to provide it to officers.
Inside the crashed 2020 Kia Soulโreported stolen two days earlier from the area of Lee Road and Harvard Avenueโpolice found 17-year-old Khalyn White and 16-year-old Julius Barron, both deceased from gunshot wounds to the head.
Investigators later confirmed that a spent shell casing recovered from the vehicle matched the firearm that Brown allegedly discarded during his attempted escape.
On Thursday, Brown was formally indicted on 13 counts, including aggravated murder, murder, felonious assault, receiving stolen property, tampering with evidence, and possession of a weapon while under disability.
โThe level of violence being committed by young individuals is devastating our community,โ Prosecutor OโMalley stated. โWe remain committed to holding violent offenders accountable, and with this indictment, my office is ensuring that justice is served.โ
Brown is scheduled for arraignment on Tuesday, January 28, according to court records.
Cleveland police continue to investigate the incident, and further details may be released as the case progresses.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA โ A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple Universityโs campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple Universityโs Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
โThe loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victimโs family and loved ones.โ
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victimโs last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individualโs involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.