A 24-year-old man has been admitted to a brutal family killing and a police ambush in East Cleveland. On Tuesday, Aaron Sharp pleaded guilty to killing two relatives last summer and to shooting two East Cleveland police officers. He is scheduled for sentencing on June 17.
Plea and charges
According to Cleveland 19, Sharp entered guilty pleas to murder and to the attempted aggravated murder of a peace officer. The plea covers charges tied to the August 7, 2025, incident. Prosecutors had previously secured an indictment that included aggravated murder and felonious assault counts.
What prosecutors say about the August killings
A press release from the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office states that East Cleveland officers were called around 10:56 p.m. on August 7, 2025, to a home near Taylor Road and Terrace Road. Inside, they found 22-year-old Erik Sharp and 82-year-old Charlie Roscoe dead. Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley described the case as “especially painful” and said his office intends to hold the defendant fully accountable, according to the release.
Officers wounded and the manhunt
Officer Brandon Hernandez and Officer Joshua Durda were hit in the gunfire but survived. They suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at University Hospitals, as reported by News 5 Cleveland. Multiple local and federal agencies joined the overnight search, and U.S. Marshals ultimately found Sharp near Shaw High School in the 1800 block of Sheldon Avenue, taking him into custody early the next morning.
Legal timeline and next steps
Prosecutors say Sharp was indicted in August 2025 on two counts of aggravated murder, along with several other charges. Cleveland 19 reports that he entered his guilty plea on Tuesday and is due back in court on June 17 for sentencing.
Aftermath and community reaction
Officials have called the case a deeply painful moment for East Cleveland. The prosecutor’s office urged the community to keep the victims’ families in mind while emphasizing the need for accountability, according to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor's Office. The violence and ensuing manhunt triggered a heavy law-enforcement response, and city leaders say they plan to keep pushing on officer safety issues as the case moves toward sentencing.
