Jaraius Terrell Gilbert Jr., a 13-year-old African American boy from Hamilton, Ohio, tragically lost his life on August 29, 2018. He was shot multiple times while chatting with a friend on the street. The Butler County Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead from his injuries, listing the cause of death as homicide.
The incident occurred just after 6:30 p.m. on South Front Street in Hamilton.
Police Chief Craig Bucheit described the shooting as "senseless" and believed it was targeted violence planned by a third party. Gilbert was an eighth-grade student at Wilson Middle School and was known for his community involvement and passion for sports.
In the aftermath of the shooting, detectives canvassed the neighborhood and sought the community's help to gather information. The Hamilton City Schools district provided counselors for students affected by the tragedy.
In April 2019, Kameron Tunstall, 19, was convicted of murder and assault in connection with Gilbert's death. Tunstall was found to have given the gun to Miquan Hubbard, who pleaded guilty to pulling the trigger. The prosecutor stated that Tunstall's actions led to the fatal shooting.
The community mourned the loss of Jaraius, remembering him as a bright and helpful young boy with a promising future. His death highlighted the ongoing issue of youth gun violence and the need for community cooperation to prevent such tragedies.
