Kevin Damar Suttles, a 38-year-old African American man, was tragically killed on January 5, 2021, in Cincinnati, OH. He was shot nine times while sitting in a barber's chair at Mike J.'s barbershop in the Roselawn neighborhood. The incident occurred on what would have been his birthday, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation led to the arrest of Jahmon Akins, a 30-year-old man, who was charged with murder.
Prosecutors described Akins as a "contract killer" and claimed that he walked into the barbershop, executed Suttles, and then fled the scene. Akins was later found at a hospital with a gunshot wound, and $4,700 was found on him, which prosecutors referred to as a "down payment".
During the trial, Akins maintained his innocence, claiming he had been in the wrong place at the wrong time. Despite no eyewitnesses placing him at the scene, prosecutors connected him to the shooting through DNA evidence and other circumstantial evidence. The case was complicated by the presence of other firearms in the barbershop, including one belonging to the owner and another to a barber, both of whom had prior felony convictions.
In May 2023, Jahmon Akins was sentenced to 21 years to life in prison for the murder of Kevin Suttles. The court found him guilty of murder and being a felon in possession of a gun. The trial revealed that Akins had been involved in a shootout with a barber who chased him after the shooting, and parts of the barber's gun were later found in Winton Woods Lake.
The case drew significant attention due to the violent nature of the crime and the broader context of rising gun violence in Cincinnati. Activists and community members expressed concern about the increasing violence and called for action to address the issue.
Kevin Suttles' death left a profound impact on his family and the community, with many mourning the loss of a beloved individual who was known for his kindness and generosity.
