In the summer of 2016, a young man's journey to redirect his life was tragically cut short on the streets of Brooklyn. Jahiem Smallwood, a 23-year-old Black male, was fatally shot in front of his Red Hook Houses apartment on Bush Street on the evening of July 19, 2016. Emergency responders rushed him to Methodist Hospital, but he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
In a heart-wrenching detail, Smallwood's young son was reportedly with him, holding his hand when the shooting occurred.
Having been released from a five-year incarceration just two months prior, Smallwood was actively taking steps to build a better future for himself and his family. On the very day he was attacked, he had visited the Miccio Center, where he had made appointments with career coaches and enrolled in a GED program. Those who knew him saw a young man taking the initiative to be there for his son and create a positive path forward. His death sent shockwaves through the community, with friends and acquaintances mourning the loss of a life filled with potential.
The New York Police Department immediately launched an investigation into the intentional shooting, which they believed may have stemmed from a dispute. For months, the case remained under investigation. However, in late October of that year, a significant development brought a measure of hope for justice to Smallwood's grieving family.
Authorities announced the arrest of 24-year-old John Lawton, also a resident of Red Hook, in connection with the fatal shooting. Lawton was subsequently charged with murder and criminal possession of a firearm, marking a crucial turning point in the investigation into the death of Jahiem Smallwood.
