In the late hours of a Thursday in Columbus, Georgia, the life of a charismatic and funny young man, Jamal Quintavious Watkins, was tragically cut short. On September 17, 2020, the 24-year-old was killed by gun violence at the intersection of 9th Street and Lawyers Lane. Known to many as 'Mad Zo' in the local music scene, Jamal was an aspiring rap artist who had produced several music videos and had recently performed in Columbus.
Born on February 21, 1996, Jamal was a man who loved life
and enjoyed making others laugh. He was employed as a construction worker and was remembered for his cool, calm, and collective personality, as well as being real, loyal, and funny. He was a proud uncle who cherished his family, including his mother, Sharanda Watkins, and his father, Shane Upshaw, along with numerous siblings and a large extended family.
The investigation into Jamal's death remains ongoing, and his case is listed as an unsolved homicide by the Columbus Police Department. No suspects have been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made in connection with the shooting. The circumstances surrounding the incident that led to his death have not been released to the public as authorities continue to seek information from the community.
