VENTURA, Calif. — A man from Newbury Park has pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his 15-year-old half-brother, whose tragic death has garnered widespread attention due to the victim’s disability. Zuberi Kalaikulokahiokalani Sharp, 26, entered his plea during a court session on March 30, bringing closure to a case that emerged from a harrowing incident in December 2024.
The heartbreaking circumstances unfolded on the evening of December 5, when Sharp and his half-brother, Zayde Koehohou, were alone in a converted shed behind their family home. Following a distressing 911 call made by Zayde’s mother around 8 p.m., authorities hurried to the scene only to find that Sharp had fled. Witnesses reported hearing a disturbing noise moments before Zayde’s uncle discovered Sharp standing over the injured boy, wielding a pickaxe.
When deputies arrived, they found Zayde seriously injured and cradled in his mother’s arms. Despite being rushed to a nearby hospital, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. Law enforcement apprehended Sharp later that same night after receiving reports of a man behaving erratically at Newbury Park High School. Reports indicate that he had taken off his clothes before being taken into custody.
Court documents reveal that Sharp admitted to using a weapon and acknowledged the victim’s vulnerability as aggravating factors in the case. Prosecutors said Zayde’s cerebral palsy made him especially defenseless, a condition that likely played a role in the severity of the charges against Sharp. As the proceedings unfolded, the issue of Sharp’s mental health surfaced, though no clear motive for the attack has been publicly disclosed.
The resolution of the case through a guilty plea has spared the family the emotional burden of a lengthy trial, according to Senior Deputy District Attorney David Russell. He emphasized the tragedy of the incident, noting that it was a deeply personal crime affecting a family already grappling with significant hardships. In a statement, Russell characterized the event as an “unimaginable tragedy,” reflecting the immense sorrow that resonates throughout the community.
In the wake of the plea, Sharp awaits sentencing scheduled for May 5, where he could face a prison term ranging from 15 years to life. As the case moves forward, the focus will shift from proving guilt to determining an appropriate sentence for this tragic loss of life.
The ongoing impact of this incident continues to be felt within the local community, as residents grapple with the grim reality of the events that transpired in what should have been a safe environment for two brothers.