On December 19, 2020, 35-year-old Benjamin Burrell, a manager at the Bridgewater Falls Old Navy store in Fairfield, OH, was shot and killed while walking from the parking lot to his apartment carrying his dinner. The Butler County Coroner's office ruled his death a homicide. Burrell had no criminal record, and no illegal drugs were found with him or in his system.
The investigation led to the arrest of 24-year-old Bijan Michelangelo Jabbari, who was in a Florida jail on unrelated charges
at the time. Jabbari was indicted on charges of murder, felonious assault, aggravated robbery, and having weapons under disability. He later pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 16 years. Jabbari admitted to shooting Burrell, mistakenly believing he was someone else who might have had something belonging to him.
During the sentencing, Judge Keith Spaeth remarked on the tragedy of the situation, noting that Burrell was an innocent victim who had done nothing wrong. Burrell's family and friends spoke out about his character, describing him as a hardworking and humorous individual who was senselessly taken from them.
The case highlighted the devastating impact of mistaken identity and the far-reaching consequences of criminal actions. Burrell's family expressed their grief and forgiveness, emphasizing that he was not involved in any criminal activity and was simply returning home from work when he was killed.
