EAST CLEVELAND, OH — The mayor of East Cleveland has confirmed the heartbreaking deaths of two individuals fatally shot by a family member during a domestic altercation late Thursday night. The incident, which escalated into a violent confrontation with police, left two East Cleveland Police officers injured and triggered an extensive manhunt that spanned through the night and into early Friday morning.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 24-year-old Aaron L. Sharp, who is accused of shooting and killing his relatives, 22-year-old Erik Sharp and 82-year-old Charles Roscoe. Following the shootings, Aaron Sharp reportedly opened fire on responding officers, severely injuring two law enforcement personnel.
At approximately 11 p.m. on Thursday, East Cleveland Police received a call reporting a domestic dispute at a residence in the 1900 block of North Taylor Road. Upon arrival, Officer Joshua Durda, 37, was immediately met with gunfire outside the residence and sustained injuries. Later, at about 1 a.m. on Friday, Officer Hernandez was also shot on Euclid Avenue near North Taylor Road while responding to the escalating situation.
The manhunt for Aaron Sharp lasted several hours before he was apprehended alive around 8:30 a.m. Friday near the 1800 block of Sheldon Avenue, close to Shaw High School. Officials noted that Sharp has had prior encounters with law enforcement.
East Cleveland Mayor Lateek Shabazz provided updates on the injured officers, stating that both are currently in stable condition at University Hospitals. Officer Hernandez is expected to be discharged on Friday afternoon. Hernandez has served with the East Cleveland Police Department since December 2024 and additionally serves part-time with the Geneva-on-the-Lake Police Department. Officer Durda has been a full-time officer since March 2023 and served previously as an auxiliary officer from 2016 to 2019. During a Friday news conference, Justyn Anderson shared that Officer Durda will remain hospitalized for several days due to minor complications.
East Cleveland Police Chief Reginald Holcomb reflected on the danger faced by officers, saying, “This serves as a stark reminder of the dangers our officers confront on a daily basis.”
The investigation into this complex and violent event involves numerous agencies working in coordination, including:
- Cleveland Division of Police
- East Cleveland Fire Department
- Euclid Police Department
- Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office
- Cleveland Heights Police Department
- Shaker Heights Police Department
- Cleveland Metropolitan Housing Authority and its Police Department
- University Circle Police Department
- Ohio State Highway Patrol
- SWAT teams
- U.S. Marshals
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- Secret Service
- Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI)
This incident comes just two weeks after a separate shooting in Lorain, Ohio, where three police officers were ambushed and wounded. The recent violence has intensified concerns over the safety and risks faced by law enforcement officers in Northeast Ohio communities.
As the investigation continues, East Cleveland residents and law enforcement alike are grappling with the profound impact of this tragedy on the community and those sworn to protect it.
If you want, I can also prepare a memorial tribute focusing on the lives of Erik Sharp and Charles Roscoe or a detailed profile of the injured officers and their service.
Leave a Reply