Second suspect gets $1.5M bond

Johnathan Thornton pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder at his arraignment in Cleveland Municipal Court on Tuesday.

The 19-year-old surrendered to the Cleveland Police Homicide Unit on Monday afternoon. Judge Carl Mazzone set his bond at $1.5 million.

Thornton is the second person charged in connection with the death of Jaiden Tunson. The Shaker Heights High School student was found shot to death near E. 130th Street and Buckeye Road in Cleveland on Oct. 26.

Khalil Woods Jr. of East Cleveland was the first to face charges. He was 18 when taken into custody in University Heights on Oct. 31 following a traffic stop. Woods also pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder on Nov. 2 and is held on a $1.5 million bond.

Woods had a prior arrest earlier this year for aggravated robbery at a high school baseball game. In July, he pleaded guilty to aggravated theft and carrying a concealed weapon, receiving 12 months of community control on each count without prison time.

Cleveland police have not released a motive for the shooting. Rhonda Crowder, Tunson’s cousin, described the victim as having a loving heart and a beautiful spirit from childhood through his final days.