Journee' Ann Shari Hicks, a 19-year-old woman from Fairfield Township, Cincinnati, OH, tragically passed away on October 20, 2021. She was a standout basketball player at Fairfield Senior High School and Hamilton High School, and was also a newcomer on the 2021 basketball team at La Roche University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Hicks was known for her dedication and respect on and off the court, making her loss deeply felt by her community.
The incident occurred at the Royal Glen Apartments in Colerain Township, where Hicks was shot in the abdomen. She was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center, where she later succumbed to her injuries. The shooting was determined to be accidental, caused by Deaariounse Bryant, a 19-year-old man who admitted to mishandling a loaded gun. Bryant was charged with reckless homicide and held on a $250,000 bond.
In addition to Bryant, Mekiyell Muhammad, a 20-year-old man, was charged with tampering with evidence. Muhammad allegedly threw ammunition and a magazine from a window and hid the gun after the shooting. Both Bryant and Muhammad appeared in court, with Muhammad being held on a $5,000 bond.
The loss of Journee Hicks has left a significant impact on her family, friends, and the basketball community. Her memory and legacy continue to be honored by those who knew her and admired her contributions both on and off the court.
