Ohio teen charged with murder after allegedly shooting brother during attack on mom

NORTH OLMSTED, OHIO: An 18-year-old Ohio teen is facing a murder charge after his 22-year-old brother was fatally shot inside their family home on Wednesday, September 16. His family says the shooting happened as the older brother was allegedly attacking their mother, sister and cousin.

The case has raised questions over the teen’s claim of defending his family, with his attorney calling it a case of “self-defense and defense of others.” However, authorities have charged him with murder, and he remains in custody on a $1 million bond.

The fatal shooting inside the North Olmsted home

According to the 911 calls released by authorities, the teen’s sister called for help after the shooting. “My brother hit my mom and he got shot,” she told the dispatcher, later clarifying that it was her “younger brother” who fired the shot.

She said he “was protecting me and my mother and my cousin,” according to the call. 

Ameen also called 911 seeking medical help for Abdulla. He reportedly told the dispatcher that his brother was “trying to attack” their mother.

“I had to shoot him,” Ameen said.

When the dispatcher asked, “You shot your brother?” he answered, “Yes,” before explaining, “He was hitting my mom.” The dispatcher instructed him to apply pressure to Abdulla’s stomach wound. First responders arrived shortly afterward.

Abdulla was still breathing when they took over and was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Police said approximately five other people were inside the North Olmsted home at the time.

Mother was also taken to hospital

Ameen’s mother was also injured during the incident. North Olmsted Police Department Lt Matt Beck said she was struck on the side of her face and was taken to a hospital.

The details from the 911 calls form a key part of the defense account, as both Ameen and his sister described Abdulla as attacking their mother before the shooting.

His attorney, Issa Elkhatib, argued that Ameen had no criminal history and asked for the lowest possible bond. “He has no criminal history whatsoever. This is a case strictly of self-defense and defense of others,” Elkhatib said, according to Cleveland 19.

The Ohio teen faces a first-degree felony murder charge

Despite the defense’s account, Ameen was charged with murder, a first-degree felony, and was arraigned on Thursday, September 17.

Magistrate Joseph Grandinetti followed the state’s recommendation, leaving Ameen in custody at the North Olmsted jail on a $1 million bond. If convicted, he faces 15 years to life in prison and a maximum potential fine of $15,000.

Elkhatib has also alleged that Abdulla had a longstanding history of violent and verbally abusive behavior toward family members.

In a statement on behalf of Ameen, the attorney said, “Had Ameen not intervened, there is a very real concern that his mother, sister, cousin or Ameen himself could have suffered even greater harm.”

Evidence that could support the defense account

The defense is pointing to the 911 calls and the family’s account of what happened inside the home. The sister told dispatchers that her younger brother fired the shot after Abdulla hit their mother, while Ameen himself said he had to shoot because Abdulla was hitting her.

Elkhatib also alleged that Abdulla had a history of violent behavior.

PEOPLE reported that court records showed Abdulla had previously been arrested three times on domestic violence charges beginning in 2023.

WKYC also reported arrests involving theft, obstructing official business and criminal damage. Those past arrests are being reported as part of the defense’s account and do not by themselves establish what happened during the September 16 confrontation.