Man arrested at NPHS is charged with murdering his brother
On Dec. 5, around 8 p.m., law enforcement was called to block 400 of Jeanne Court in response to the attack of 15-year-old Zayde Keohohou, who suffered blunt-force trauma to the head from 24-year-old Zuberi Sharp, a NPHS alumni. Ventura County Sheriff’s authorities arrested Zuberi Sharp on Newbury Park High School’s football field, where he was naked and unarmed. Zayde Keohohou, who had cerebral palsy, passed away in the ambulance ride to Los Robles Regional Medical Center.
Zuberi Sharp was taken to Ventura County Jail and deemed ineligible for bail. He was scheduled for arraignment on Monday, Dec. 8 at Ventura County Superior Court. The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office charged him with murder and corporal injury to a child. They are now questioning his mental competency and have appointed a doctor to the case. The next appearance in court will be Jan. 2.
Zuberi Sharp is the half-brother of Zayde Keohohou and son of 45-year-old Calvin Sharp, also a NPHS alumni who was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of 6-year-old Sev’n Molin in 2007. He is currently housed at California State Prison, Sacramento. According to Eyewitness News, Zayde Keohohou’s family confirmed that Calvin Sharp is not the father of Zayde Keohohou.
During the time of the arrest several groups of students and community members were present on campus, including a youth track team, dancers and audience members attending the winter dance concert, those attending the cheer banquet and several other activities. These events were put on lockdown for about 15 minutes.
Also present on the field was Emily Williams, NPHS girls’ soccer head coach, who was conducting individual player meetings for the girls’ varsity soccer team. Williams contacted administration and made sure that authorities were called. “Having [the police officers and firefighters’] presence on site so quickly helped us feel like the situation was under control as much as it could be at the time,” Williams said.
Zayde Keohohou’s family has reached out to the community for support through “GoFundMe” to cover the expenses of the teenager’s celebration of life. “His beautiful soul was the center of our family. He loved music, was a drummer and gave the warmest all encompassing hugs,” Oli Keohohou, ZaydeKeohohou’s aunt, said on their donation page. As of Dec. 12 the family has raised $69,000.
Zayde Keohohou’s family members issued a public statement Friday morning: “We appreciate the outpouring of love, aloha, support and prayers from friends and ohanas and this wonderful community.”
