Trials
Craig Alan Sipe pleaded not guilty to aggravated murder, and a judge set his bond at $1 million.
WKYC, Cleveland 19, and FOX 8 reported that on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, Craig Alan Sipe, 63, of Akron, pleaded not guilty in Stow Municipal Court to aggravated murder in the Sunday shooting of Sharon Dorn, 61, of Stow, at the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium. WKYC reported the case was bound over for a Summit County grand jury. FOX 8 described the bond as $1 million cash.
By Crime Talk Network Staff Writer ·
Monday's hearing produced a not-guilty plea, a $1 million bond, and a handoff to the Summit County grand jury. WKYC reported the judge said Sipe had no prior criminal record. Police have called the shooting domestic-related. That is the department's description. It is the accusation the grand jury will see.
Craig Alan Sipe, 63, of Akron, pleaded not guilty Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, to aggravated murder in Stow Municipal Court, WKYC and Cleveland 19 reported. A judge set bond at $1 million. FOX 8 reported the bond was $1 million cash. WKYC reported the case will be bound over to Summit County Common Pleas Court for presentation to a grand jury, and that the judge noted Sipe had no prior criminal record. The outlets did not name the judge. Sipe is being held at the Summit County Jail, WKYC reported.
Cuyahoga Falls police said officers were called at about 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18, to the Cuyahoga Falls Natatorium, Cleveland 19 and WKYC reported. Cleveland 19 placed the call in the 2300 block of Fourth Street. WKYC gave the address as 2345 Fourth Street. Cleveland 19 reported officers found Sharon Dorn, 61, of Stow, with a gunshot wound, and that she was taken to Summa Akron City Hospital, where she died at 9:51 a.m. WKYC, citing the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office, reported Dorn was inside the natatorium when Sipe entered the gymnasium and shot her. That is the account WKYC attributed to the medical examiner's office. It is the allegation in the aggravated-murder charge.
Police said Sipe turned himself in at the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department shortly after the shooting, Cleveland 19 and WKYC reported. Police told the stations they believe the shooting was domestic-related. They have not publicly described the relationship. Cleveland 19 reported the natatorium remained closed Monday. Cuyahoga Falls Mayor Don Walters said Sunday, "The City of Cuyahoga Falls extends its condolences to the victim's family and loved ones during this difficult time," WKYC reported.
A not-guilty plea is the defense answer to the count. The bond and the grand-jury handoff are what the municipal court did with the case on Monday. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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