CLEVELAND – Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley announced that Phoenix Brown, 19, (18 at the time of the incident) was found guilty on all counts for the murders of 17-year-old Khalyn White and 16-year-old Julius Barron in Cleveland. 

“This was a cold-blooded execution of two juveniles.Brown’s actions are another example of the epidemic of youth violence threatening the safety of all in our community.”

Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On January 12, 2025, a black 2020 Kia Soul was reported stolen 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. During the pursuit, Brown had a gun in his possession that he discarded prior to his arrest. Brown was ultimately arrested by CDP and his clothing was covered in blood. Additionally, he was arrested with drugs in his pocket. CDP recovered the firearm.

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 was conducted by the CDP. The investigation revealed the firearm was the murder weapon used in the double homicides and Brown’s DNA was located on the weapon.

Two weeks prior to the homicides, Brown stole the firearm from a juvenile male and displayed it on social media. He then used this firearm to commit the double homicides.

On October 22, 2025, Phoenix Brown was found guilty on the following charges:

  • Two counts of Aggravated Murder
  • Four counts of Murder
  • Four counts of Felonious Assault
  • One count of Aggravated Robbery
  • One count of Grand Theft When the Property is a Firearm or Dangerous Ordnance
  • One count of Receiving Stolen Property
  • One count of Possession of a Fentanyl-Related Compound
  • One count of Having Weapons While Under Disability

He will be sentenced at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center on Monday, October 17 at 1:30 p.m.