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 O’Malley, 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 Soul—reported stolen two days earlier from the area of Lee Road and Harvard Avenue—police 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.

“The level of violence being committed by young individuals is devastating our community,” Prosecutor O’Malley stated. “We remain committed to holding violent offenders accountable, and with this indictment, my office is ensuring that justice is served.”

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.