Jamarion Barnes, a 21-year-old resident of Jacksonville, Florida, tragically lost his life on June 20, 2022, in a double homicide incident. Barnes and his girlfriend, Tyniya Powell, were shot outside an ATM on Bowden Road. Surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing a man in dark clothing exiting the back seat of the couple's Toyota Corolla, opening the driver's door, and grabbing something before fleeing the scene.
When police arrived, they found Barnes lying outside the driver's door and Powell on the ground next to the passenger side. Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene, while Powell succumbed to her injuries later at a local hospital.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, with the assistance of the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force, arrested 20-year-old Raishion Gist in connection with the murders. Gist was charged with two counts of first-degree murder and armed burglary. Evidence and tips from the community, including information from the community outreach group MAD DADS, played a crucial role in identifying and apprehending Gist. During his court appearance, Gist faced the families of the victims, who expressed a mix of relief and sorrow at his arrest.
The investigation revealed that drugs were involved in the incident, with Gist having texted one of the victims earlier in the day about needing some drugs. Despite the arrest, the motive behind the murders remains unclear. Gist was found guilty on all charges and is set to be sentenced to life in prison, as first-degree murder convictions in Florida mandate life imprisonment unless the death penalty is sought by prosecutors.
This tragic event was further compounded by the fact that Jamarion Barnes was the second member of his family to be killed in 2022. His 20-year-old brother, Jelijah Barnes, was also shot and killed earlier that year in a separate incident. The Barnes family, along with the community, continues to mourn the loss of these young lives while seeking justice and answers.
