18-Year-Old Charged with Murder After Shooting Brother Dead in North Olmsted Home

Ameen Farraj, 18, faces murder charges after fatally shooting his brother Abdulla, 22, in their North Olmsted home. His attorney says the shooting was an act of self-defence and defence of others.

North Olmsted Fratricidal Shooting: 18-Year-Old Held on $1 Million Bond

An 18-year-old has been charged with murder after shooting and killing his 22-year-old brother inside their North Olmsted home on Wednesday afternoon, cleveland19.com reports.

North Olmsted police identified the suspect as Ameen Farraj and the victim as Abdulla Farraj. In a 911 call, Ameen told a dispatcher, "I had to shoot him. I had to shoot him," adding that his brother had been attacking their mother at the time.

Ameen's sister, who was simultaneously on a separate 911 call, told a dispatcher, "My brother hit my mom and he got shot." Both siblings said Abdulla was striking their mother before Ameen fired. The sister told dispatchers that Ameen had been protecting her, their mother, and a cousin from Abdulla.

Abdulla Farraj was transported to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Ameen Farraj was arraigned Thursday via Zoom in Rocky River Municipal Court. Magistrate Joseph Grandinetti stated that Ameen "did purposely cause the death of Abdulla Farraj… by shooting him one time in the stomach, chest, and was later pronounced deceased."

Ameen faces a charge of murder, a first-degree felony, carrying a sentence of 15 years to life in prison and a maximum potential fine of $15,000.

His attorney, Issa Elkhatib, requested the lowest possible bond, arguing that his client posed no danger to the community. "He has no criminal history whatsoever. This is a case strictly of self-defense and defense of others," Elkhatib said. The attorney added that Abdulla Farraj had "an extensive criminal history of violence" and that, had Ameen not acted, "we could be talking about a murder of maybe multiple people in this case."

Magistrate Grandinetti followed the state's recommendation, setting bond at $1 million. Any release would require Ameen to wear a GPS monitor. The preliminary hearing was waived.

Ameen Farraj remains held at the North Olmsted jail. Elkhatib has released a formal statement on his client's behalf.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)