Mar’Viyah Mar Mar Jones, a 6-year-old girl from Akron, OH, tragically lost her life on September 10, 2020. She was shot while sitting inside a vehicle near Copley Road and Orlando Avenue. The incident occurred when two men, Marqualle Clinkscales and Corey Jemison, exchanged gunfire near a car wash parking lot. Mar’Viyah was among six children and two adults in the SUV at the time. A witness reported hearing eight to ten shots fired.
Mar’Viyah succumbed to her injuries two weeks later at Akron Children's Hospital. The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed her death. In the aftermath, both Clinkscales and Jemison were arrested and faced multiple charges. Clinkscales was charged with three counts of felonious assault, murder, and possession of drugs. Jemison faced charges of murder, receiving stolen property, and six counts of endangering children.
The community and local authorities were deeply affected by Mar’Viyah’s death. Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan expressed his condolences and emphasized the need to address the cycle of violence affecting the community. In March 2022, both Clinkscales and Jemison pleaded guilty to the murder of Mar’Viyah and were sentenced to 16 years to life in prison. The tragic loss of Mar’Viyah highlighted the urgent need for community efforts to prevent such senseless violence and protect innocent lives.
