The city of East Cleveland is reeling after a late-night shooting on Thursday left 24-year-old Erik Sharp and his grandfather Charles Roscoe dead, and two police officers injured. The violence erupted around 11 p.m. near North Taylor Road, shattering what began as a family disagreement into a night of tragedy.
Authorities say Aaron Sharp, the brother of Erik and grandson of Charles, was taken into custody Friday morning. He now faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder and felonious assault.
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A Family Torn Apart
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that both Erik and Charles were found deceased inside the home where the gunfire began. Erik was remembered by friends and family as warm-hearted and full of potential, while Charles was celebrated as a family patriarch — wise, humorous, and deeply loving toward his children and grandchildren.
“This is a loss that’s impossible to measure,” one neighbor said. “Two lives gone in one night, from the same family. It’s heartbreaking.”
Officers Caught in the Crossfire
The deadly shooting also highlighted the dangers law enforcement officers face. Officer Joshua Durda was injured during the initial response and underwent surgery, while Officer Brandon Hernandez was shot an hour later and later released from the hospital.
Despite the danger, police pressed forward, launching a multi-agency manhunt with the help of the U.S. Marshals and SWAT teams. Drones and a containment perimeter were used to track Aaron Sharp, who was ultimately arrested on Sheldon Avenue, near Shaw High School.
A Community Searching for Answers
For East Cleveland, the deaths of Erik and Charles are more than just a police report — they are a devastating reminder of how quickly conflict can escalate into irreversible loss. Community members are calling for renewed focus on resolving disputes before they spiral into violence.
As the legal process moves forward, the city mourns not just the lives lost, but the family that has been fractured forever.