Clifton James Cummings, 35, was fatally shot on January 26, 2025, at a residence on Larch Street in Springfield, Ohio. Police responded to reports of gunfire just after 10:15 p.m. and found Cummings and another man, 30-year-old Spencer Sharp, suffering from gunshot wounds. Cummings was pronounced dead at the scene; Sharp was taken to Springfield Regional Medical Center and later died.

Police say the shooting was connected to a planned robbery. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Jaron Coley, 18, entering the home with Cummings; Cummings was wearing a ski mask and carrying a handgun. Authorities allege Coley and associates had arranged a drug deal at Sharp’s residence but intended to rob him. Three weapons were recovered from the scene.

Springfield police arrested multiple suspects: Jaron Coley was taken into custody January 28, 2025, and two others identified as Riley Haynes, 24, and Nathan Keaton, 21, were later apprehended. All three were charged with aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, and felonious assault. Coley was on parole and wearing an ankle monitor that placed him at the scene; he reportedly told investigators he went to buy marijuana and did not know a robbery was planned, while investigators say evidence points to a conspiracy to rob Sharp.

This was the city’s third homicide of 2025. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact Springfield Police.