CLEVELAND – The Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office announced that a Cuyahoga County grand jury has returned an indictment charging Tralaun Barlow, 31, and Aniya Fantroy, 22, on murder charges for shooting and killing 61-year-old Auto Zone employee Adam Caraballo in Cleveland and robbing a gas station in Lakewood on the same day prior to the homicide.

“Adam Caraballo showed extraordinary courage when he stepped in to protect his teenage coworker, and he paid for that bravery with his life.

Thanks to the outstanding work of law enforcement and the use of investigative technology, this couple’s crime spree came to an end within hours. I have no doubt that without their efforts, more innocent people would have been hurt.”

– Prosecutor Michael C. O’Malley

On Sunday, October 11, 2026, at around 8:55 a.m., Tralaun Barlow drove Aniya Fantroy in her rental vehicle to a gas station located near Warren Road and Franklin Boulevard in Lakewood. Tralaun Barlow entered the gas station wearing a pink mask and pointed a gun at the 44-year-old female cashier. He demanded the money out of the cash register’s drawer. After taking the money, he demanded to be taken to the safe. The cashier told him she did not have access to the safe. He stole cigarettes and exited the gas station. He returned to Fantroy’s vehicle and fled the scene with her. The Lakewood Police Department (LPD) responded to the scene.

Several hours later, around 3 p.m., Tralaun Barlow and passenger Aniya Fantroy drove to a street near the Auto Zone at Puritas Avenue and West 149th Street in Cleveland. Barlow exited the vehicle and entered the Auto Zone wearing a pink mask. He approached the 17-year-old female cashier and acted like he was going to pay. He then pulled out a gun and demanded her cash register’s drawer money. Employee Adam Caraballo intervened and stepped between the female cashier and Barlow. Barlow then pistol-whipped him. Adam Caraballo pulled out a knife, and Barlow proceeded to shoot him two times.

A 31-year-old male employee was in the back of the store and heard the gunshots. He proceeded to help a female employee hide and went out to the front of the store. Barlow proceeded to take his phone and then continued to rob the cash register drawers in the Auto Zone before returning to Fantroy’s vehicle and fleeing the scene with her. There were four other employees present during the incident, in addition to Adam Caraballo, the 17-year-old female cashier, and the 31-year-old male employee.

The Cleveland Division of Police (CDP) and Cleveland EMS responded to the scene. Adam Caraballo was transported to a nearby hospital and pronounced deceased. The investigation was conducted by the CDP with assistance from the LPD and the Akron Police Department. With the assistance of Flock LPR technology, RTCC, and surveillance footage, Barlow and Fantroy were linked to the incidents. Akron Police located Fantory’s vehicle and arrested Barlow later that evening around 9:30 p.m. without incident.

On October 21, 2026, Tralaun Barlow and Aniya Fantroy were indicted on the following charges:

  • Two counts of Aggravated Murder
  • Two counts of Murder (Murder A and Murder B)
  • Nine counts of Aggravated Robbery
  • Nine counts of Kidnapping
  • Three counts of Felonious Assault
  • One count of Theft
  • Two counts of Misdemeanor Theft

In addition, Aniya Fantroy was indicted on the following charge:

  • One count of Wrongful Entrustment of a Motor Vehicle

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