Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell Announces Filing of Aggravated Murder Charge
Ashland County Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell announced today that a criminal complaint has been filed charging Robert Palermo, age 24, of Ashland, with Aggravated Murder in violation of Ohio Revised Code 52903.01 (A) in connection with the death of John “Lefty” Grehn, age 61. The case has been filed in the Ashland County Court of Common Pleas, Judge David Stimpert presiding.
The allegations underlying the charge stem from a shooting incident that occurred on January 1, 2026, at a residence located at 102 East Liberty Street in the City of Ashland. Ashland Police Division officers responded to the scene at approximately 2:15 p.m. after receiving a 911 call. Upon arrival, officers and Ashland Fire Division personnel located Mr. Grehn deceased inside the residence. Mr. Palermo was taken into custody at the scene without incident and is currently being held at the Ashland County Jail. Mr. Palermo has no known prior criminal history.
Mr. Grehn’s death appears to be the result of a gunshot wound. The Ashland County Coroner, Dr. Dale Thomae, has ordered that Mr. Grehn’s body be sent to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsy, which is standard procedure in homicide investigations of this nature. The autopsy results are pending.
The Complaint alleges that Mr. Palermo purposely, and with prior calculation and design, caused the death of Mr. Grehn. Aggravated Murder, as charged, carries a maximum possible penalty of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. At this time, the death penalty is not being sought. The ongoing investigation has not revealed evidence of any aggravating circumstance set forth in Ohio Revised Code 52929.04, which would be required before the possibility of a death sentence could be presented to the Court.
“This case represents a profound and tragic loss of life, and our thoughts remain with Mr. Grehn’s family, friends, and all those who loved him as they begin to process this unimaginable loss,” said Prosecuting Attorney Christopher R. Tunnell. “Despite the terrible nature of this allegation, Ashland is and always will be a safe place to live and to raise a family. While the world sometimes comes to us in a regrettable fashion, our focus should be on the positive response of our safety services and not on the negative aspects of one human’s poor choices. I commend the Ashland Police Division for their swift, professional, and thorough response to this incident, as well as their cooperation with and the services of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Ashland County Coroner’s Office, Ashland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ashland Fire Department.”
The investigation remains ongoing and charges will be presented to an Ashland County Grand Jury at the appropriate time.
Robert Palermo is scheduled to appear for a bond hearing in the Ashland County Court of Common Pleas later today at 2:15 pm.
It is important to emphasize that the filing of a criminal charge is an accusation only. Robert Palermo, like all individuals charged with a crime, is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Further information will be released as appropriate and consistent with the integrity of the judicial process.
