Teens Indicted For Shooting At Priest In Cleveland

CLEVELAND, OH — Three teenagers are being charged for shooting at a Cleveland priest in December. The defendants, all 18 or under, face charges of attempted murder, aggravated robbery, kidnapping and more. All three suspects will be tried as adults, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Michael O'Malley said.

“When young people terrorize our citizens and commit crimes with firearms, they will go through the adult system,” said O’Malley in a statement. “This attempted murder shook the foundation of our county and they will be held accountable.”

Father John Kumse, 65, of St. Mary's, a Catholic church in the Collinwood neighborhood, was collecting eggs from his chicken coop when he was allegedly followed by Amin Walker and Jaylen Miller, both 16. The teenagers hid in nearby bushes and then ambushed the priest, demanding the eggs, according to O'Malley.

The priest ran away and the teens allegedly chased after him. As Kumse fell, his pursuers began shooting at him, O'Malley said. No bullets struck the priest.

The teenagers allegedly then ran away from the church, jumped into a waiting van, and sped off. The van was allegedly driven by Kenitra Robinson, 18. A 15-year-old female and 16-year-old male were both also in the van, O'Malley said.

Walker and Miller are being charged with attempted murder, felonious assault, aggravated robbery, kidnapping, receiving stolen property, carrying a concealed weapon and improperly handling firearms in a motor vehicle.

The 15-year-old and 16-year-old are both being held at the Juvenile Justice Center.

Arraignment for Walker and Miller is scheduled for April 12 at 8:30 a.m.

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