Southern California teen allegedly killed by brother with ax remembered by loved ones

Loved ones gathered to honor a 15-year-old boy who was allegedly killed by his older brother with an ax in Ventura County.

Zayde Keohohou was laid to rest Saturday and a celebration of life ceremony was held to remember the teen who his family said lived life to the fullest.

“It’s hard,” said Jante Keohohou, Zayde’s mother. “It’s been really hard. Pain every day. He exuded love and aloha.”

Zayde was diagnosed with cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair, but his mother said that never stopped him from enjoying the things he loved with his family.

“We had a good 15 years with him,” Jante said. “He wasn’t supposed to live past three and we got him to 15.”

On Dec. 5, authorities were called to a home on the 400 block of Jeanne Court in Newbury Park just after 8 p.m. on reports that a teenager had been struck in the head with an unknown object. That teen, Zayde, was in the process of being taken to the hospital when he was pronounced dead. 

Zayde’s older brother, Zuberi Sharp, 24, was found at nearby Newbury Park High School, where he was arrested in connection to Zayde’s murder. Sharp was found naked on the school’s football field while wielding an ax.

The school was filled with student-athletes at the time which forced a lockdown measure.

A neighbor told KTLA that Zuberi allegedly suffers from mental health issues and had “lost touch with reality.” Hours before he allegedly killed his brother, Zuberi was found inside a storm drain and required rescue from firefighters, the neighbor said.

The mother said her heartache is immense as she essentially lost two sons in one night.

“I have to grieve for two children, separately and differently, but I can’t think about one without the other, so it’s difficult,” Jante said.

“It’s a tragedy what happened, but we’re family regardless,” said George Wishard, the victim’s uncle. “We are standing behind Zuberi and we’re here to celebrate Zayde at this time and that’s what it’s about.”

Family members said Zuberi was having a manic episode at the time. His uncle hopes the incident will force a spotlight on the importance of mental healthcare.

“Ohana and being together and mourning," Wishard said. "Now we’ve got another task in getting Zuberi the help he needs and putting attention on mental health issues that are out there that need to be addressed."

The Los Angeles Times reports that Zuberi is also the son of convicted killer Calvin Sharp.

In 2007, Calvin killed Sev’n Molina, a 6-year-old boy, with a meat cleaver. He pleaded guilty to the murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

On Dec. 9, Zuberi was charged with murder and corporal injury to a child. Sharp also faces several special allegations and aggravating factors including the use of a deadly weapon and that the victim was vulnerable.

No plea has been entered yet and he is due back in court for a competency hearing on Jan. 2, 2025. Zuberi remains in custody without the possibility of bail.