Juwan Kincade, a 17-year-old African American male from Springfield, Illinois, tragically lost his life on July 30, 2015. Juwan, affectionately known as "JoJo," was born on March 11, 1998, and attended Southeast High School. He was described as a quiet, mild-mannered individual with a great sense of humor. Juwan enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, playing video games like NBA 2K and Grand Theft Auto on his Sony PlayStation.
The circumstances surrounding Juwan's death were deeply tragic. On the day of his death, Juwan was shot and killed by his older brother, Juan Kincade, during an argument at their home in Springfield. Juan, who was 20 years old at the time, was reportedly jealous of his younger brother and had stolen drugs, money, and shoes from him. The altercation escalated, leading to Juan shooting Juwan in the head.
Following the incident, Juan Kincade was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. He pleaded guilty to the charge in December 2015. During the trial, it was revealed that Juan had a history of violent offenses and had appeared in juvenile court multiple times. While awaiting trial, he had numerous infractions in the Sangamon County Jail, including fighting and other disruptive behavior.
In May 2017, Juan Kincade was sentenced to 35 years in prison for the murder of his younger brother. The judge took into account Juan's prior criminal record, his behavior while in jail, and the emotional testimony from family members. Despite the family's heartbreak, they expressed that justice needed to be served for Juwan's life.
Juwan Kincade's death left a profound impact on his family and the Springfield community. His memory is cherished by his loved ones, who remember him as a kind and humorous young man with a bright future ahead of him.
