Cleveland, Ohio: Two Indicted in Killing of Shaker Heights Student Jaiden Tunson

A Cuyahoga County grand jury has indicted two Cleveland men in the fatal shooting of Jaiden Tunson, the 17 year old Shaker Heights High School student killed last month near South Moreland Boulevard and Buckeye Road. Khalil Woods Jr., 18, and Jonathan Thornton, 19, each face one count of aggravated murder, two counts of murder and two counts of felonious assault, according to Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court records reported by WKYC 3News. WNIR reported that the indictment on the aggravated murder charge alleges the killing was planned.

The charges are allegations. Neither man has been convicted, and both are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

The October 26 shooting

Tunson was shot on the afternoon of Monday, October 26, in Cleveland's Buckeye-Shaker neighborhood. WKYC reported, citing police, that officers with the Fourth District were patrolling near East 130th Street and Buckeye Road when they heard gunshots in the area. They responded and found Tunson suffering from an apparent gunshot wound near South Moreland Boulevard. Officers gave life saving aid, but Tunson died from his injuries.

Tunson was a student at Shaker Heights High School. His family has said he was preparing to graduate with the class of 2027.

Arrests, bond and what comes next

University Heights police arrested Woods on Saturday, October 31, WKYC and WNIR reported. WKYC reported that Woods was identified in court as a senior at North Shore High School in Garfield Heights. Thornton surrendered to Cleveland homicide detectives on November 2, WNIR reported.

A judge in Cleveland Municipal Court set bond at $1.5 million for each man, WKYC reported. Their cases now move to Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. Woods is scheduled to be arraigned on November 12 at 8:30 a.m., and Thornton is scheduled to be arraigned on November 30 at 8:30 a.m., according to the court records cited by WKYC.

The indictment is the first court step that can lead to a trial in the case. No trial date has been set in the public reports.

In the week after the shooting, Tunson's family joined community members and city leaders in calling for justice and an end to gun violence, WKYC reported. His cousin Rhonda Crowder remembered him as someone who brought joy and love to those around him. Community leaders also held an emergency meeting at EDWINS Bakery and Training Center, directly across the street from where Tunson was shot, after the fatal shootings of two Northeast Ohio teenagers.