Jalen Marquis DiCenzi, a 22-year-old African American male from Canton, Ohio, tragically lost his life on June 11, 2017. He was born on October 15, 1994, and was a graduate of McKinley High School, where he played football and baseball. Jalen was also a father to a young daughter named Evelyn.
On the day of his death, Jalen was shot by Chad G. Fite II, a childhood friend and former teammate, while Jalen was driving a vehicle. The shooting occurred around 9:40 a.m.
in the 14th Street and Miami Court NE area. Fite fired two gunshots at the vehicle, and one bullet struck Jalen in the head. The vehicle subsequently went up a steep embankment and struck two homes.
Following the incident, Fite was arrested and charged with murder. However, the charge was later reduced to involuntary manslaughter as part of a plea agreement. Fite pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, felonious assault, and discharge of a firearm on or near a prohibited premises. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
The tragic event deeply affected Jalen's family and friends. During the sentencing, Jalen's grandmother, Susan Roberts, expressed her sorrow and forgiveness towards Fite. Jalen's mother, Jalene Roberts, also spoke about the impact of her son's death and her decision to forgive Fite.
In the aftermath of Jalen's death, his family made the difficult decision to donate his organs, which saved the lives of four individuals. His heart went to a 65-year-old woman, his liver to a 56-year-old man, and his kidneys to a 31-year-old man and a 16-year-old boy. Jalen's family also established "Jalen's Angels" to honor his memory and continue his legacy of giving.
The loss of Jalen DiCenzi left a profound impact on his loved ones and the community, but his legacy lives on through the lives he saved and the positive actions taken in his memory.
