SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Two of the men facing charges related to the shooting of Scranton Detective Kyle Gilmartin pleaded guilty on Monday in county court, according to Lackawanna County District Attorney Brian J. Gallagher.
Aiden Deininger, 22, was accused of shooting into a Scranton Police vehicle occupied by Gilmartin and two other officers. He pleaded guilty to all of the 28 charges lodged against him. Three of those charges were for attempted murder of a law enforcement officer, along with 19 felonies and eight misdemeanors. Gallagher said all of the related charges were committed during a crime spree that led to Gilmartin being shot.
Deininger's co-defendant, Jeremiah Cleveland, 21, entered a guilty plea to five out of six charges filed against him for his alleged role in the shooting.
Jeremiah Cleveland
Aiden Deininger
Both men are accused of being involved in the events that culminated in the shooting of Gilmartin in the early morning hours of January 11, 2024 near the intersection of North Main Avenue and Swetland Street in Scranton's West Side.
Gilmartin was shot in the head and taken to Geisinger CMC with life-threatening injuries.
Deininger was also shot during the ordeal.
“I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Scranton Police Chief Tom Carroll for his steady leadership and guidance during this ordeal and in its aftermath. I want to thank our great partners at the Pennsylvania State Police and to all the law enforcement agencies who worked tirelessly to investigate this shooting and who continue in their enforcement efforts since. Their professionalism, commitment, and teamwork exemplify the highest standards of service and justice. I also want to thank people of Scranton, the people of Lackawanna County and elsewhere who came together to support Detective Gilmartin, his family, and the Scranton Police Department during this difficult time. The outpouring of compassion and solidarity has been powerful and is deeply appreciated. Detective Gilmartin continues to make remarkable progress in recovery, and we are forever grateful that he, Deputy Chief Lafferty and Detective Hyler are still with us,” Gallagher said in a statement.
Deputy Chief Joseph Lafferty and Detective Jason Hyler were in the vehicle when Gilmartin was shot.
“We must also recognize something important—too often, our community only comes together in support of law enforcement when tragedy strikes. That should never be the case. Respect, admiration, and support for the men and women who serve and protect us should not be conditional. It must be constant. The strength of law enforcement and the safety of our community depend not only on the courage of our officers, but on the consistent support and trust of the communities they serve,” Gallagher added.
With the more than two dozen charges Deininger has plead guilty to, he faces a maximum sentence of 381 years.
Sentencings for Deininger and Cleveland are scheduled to take place within 90 days.
