CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging Phoenix Brown, 18, for the murders of 17-year-old Khalyn White and 16-year-old Julius Barron in Cleveland.

“The amount of violence committed by young people is plaguing our community. We need to hold violent criminals accountable for their actions, and with this indictment today, my office is doing just that.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On January 12, 2025, a black 2020 Kia Soul was reported missing near Lee Road and Harvard Avenue in Cleveland.

Two days later, on January 14 around 1 a.m., the Cleveland Division of Police (CDP), the Cleveland Division of Fire, and Cleveland EMS responded to a call regarding the same stolen Kia Soul that had crashed into a utility pole near Warner Road and Jeffries Avenue in Cleveland. While on scene, police observed Phoenix Brown flee the scene on foot. Police pursued Brown. Brown was ultimately arrested by CDP and his clothing was covered in blood.

Police located 17-year-old Khalyn White and 16-year-old Julius Brown inside the vehicle with gunshot wounds to the head. They were both pronounced deceased on scene.

The investigation is being conducted by CDP and remains ongoing.

On January 23, 2025, Phoenix Brown was indicted on the following charges:

  • Two counts of Aggravated Murder
  • Four counts of Murder
  • Four counts of Felonious Assault
  • One count of Receiving Stolen Property
  • One count of Tampering With Evidence
  • One count of Having Weapons While Under Disability

He will be arraigned at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center at a later date.