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 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.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.