In the late hours of a November night in 2020, the life of Leevon Vontez Jackson, a 22-year-old African American man, was tragically cut short in Columbus, Georgia. Known affectionately as 'Bink' to his family and friends, Jackson was the victim of an overnight shooting at the intersection of Ramsey Road and South Lumpkin Road. First responders rushed him to Piedmont Columbus Regional Hospital, but his injuries proved to be fatal, and he was pronounced dead on November 14, 2020.
His death marked the 39th homicide in Muscogee County that year.
Born in Milledgeville, Georgia, on November 9, 1998, Leevon later moved to Columbus and graduated from Kendrick High School. Those who knew him remembered a young man dedicated to his family, who was striving to better himself. He was a father to a young son, Leevon Vontez Jackson Jr., and a stepfather to Shannon Wright. He was known for his love of learning, his kindness, and his sense of humor. He enjoyed playing basketball and video games, but his greatest joy was spending time with his loved ones.
The investigation into Leevon Jackson's murder revealed that he was shot during an altercation. However, the case has grown cold in the years since his death. As of the most recent reports, no arrests have been made, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects. The Columbus Police Department has urged anyone with information regarding the shooting to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
Leevon's family, including his mother, Rashidah Jackson, and his father, Juvoski Downing, have been left to grieve their profound loss without the closure of justice. They have held memorial services and community gatherings to honor his memory and to keep his story in the public consciousness, hoping that someone with information will step forward. His death is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of gun violence, leaving a family to mourn a life full of potential that was ended far too soon.
