CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio — The Cleveland Heights Police Department has obtained an arrest warrant for a suspect wanted in connection to a murder last week. They are also offering a reward for information leading to his capture.
The warrant is for 20-year-old Joseph Byron Littlejohn of East Cleveland. Police say he is a suspect in an aggravated robbery, as well as the Jan. 4 aggravated murder of 22-year-old Alexander Gurly on East Overlook Road. Cleveland Heights police detectives believe LIttlejohn did not act alone in the crimes.
Littlejohn remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous by Cleveland Heights police. He is described as being 6-foot-tall, weighing 243 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
The Cleveland Heights Police Department is asking for the public's help in tracking down Littlejohn, offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and/or the identification and arrest of other suspects involved.
Anyone with information about Littlejohn’s whereabouts or these incidents should call the Cleveland Heights Police Department’s Detective Bureau at 216-291-3883 or the CHPD Tip Line at 216-291-5010. Callers may remain anonymous. Information also may be reported to Crime Stoppers of Cuyahoga County at 216-252-7463.
The arrest warrant and reward for Littlejohn comes as the city of Cleveland Heights has been rocked by two homicides in the first four days of 2024. The city says there was one homicide in 2022. Last year, four people were killed, including one that was ruled self-defense.
"We recognize the gravity of this situation," Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren told 3News' Matt Rascon this week. "We know that if we're starting this year in this way, then we've got a lot of work to do for the rest of the year to try to mitigate some of this harm. We have to be creative, we have to be bold, and we have to try things maybe we haven't tried before because the old ways aren't working."
The city recently received $400,000 in grant funding that they plan to use to help prevent violent crime. They're also working to partner with the Cleveland Peacemaker's Alliance and to support programs that target the root causes of violence.
Previous Reporting:
- Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren talks plan to tackle violence after 2 homicides in 4 days
- Cleveland Heights mayor responds to violent start to new year: 2024 homicides equal 2022, 2023 combined
- Male found shot to death in Cleveland Heights neighborhood; police searching for suspects
- 15-year-old girl found dead in Cleveland Heights home; 14-year-old suspect surrenders
