CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Jalen Plummer, 20, has pleaded guilty to killing his 62-year-old grandmother and stabbing his 10-year-old sister, 12-year-old brother, and 10-year-old cousin in June 2019. He was sentenced immediately afterwards to life in prison.

On June 22, 2019, all four victims were asleep when Plummer attacked them inside their Cleveland residence on Chickasaw Avenue near East 197th Street. All four victims suffered multiple stab wounds. The 10 and 12-year-old girls were able to run to a neighbor’s house who called 911. Shortly after, the Cleveland Division of Police (CPD) arrested Plummer at the crime scene hiding in a shower covered in blood. The adult victim was found unresponsive in a bedroom suffering from multiple stab wounds to the head, neck, shoulder, and hand. The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office (CCMEO) arrived on scene shortly after and pronounced her deceased. Cleveland EMS transported all three child victims to the hospital to receive treatment for their injuries – two of which required surgery.

CPD’s Homicide Unit conducted an investigation that connected Plummer to the crime through DNA and other evidence. DNA evidence collected from three knives found on scene were tested by the CCMEO’s Forensic Lab and matched to Plummer. Victims’ statements, along with Plummer’s self-admission, corroborated the crime.

He pleaded guilty to the following charges:

  • One count of Aggravated Murder
  • One count of Attempted Murder

Plummer was sentenced to life in prison, with first eligibility of parole after serving 30 years.