In the late summer of 2020, the promising life of Jasmine Aaliyah Lewis, a 20-year-old woman from Philadelphia, was tragically cut short. A gifted basketball player, Lewis harbored dreams of one day playing in the WNBA and had already made a name for herself as a star player at Lackawanna College in Scranton. Her passion for the sport began in fourth grade and blossomed at Sturgis Playground in East Oak Lane and later at Mastery Charter North High School.
Standing at five feet, eleven inches, she was a formidable presence on the court and a beloved figure off of it, known for her fun-loving nature and infectious smile.
On the evening of August 27, 2020, after a day that included playing basketball with her younger sister, Lewis was driving in the 6000 block of Wister Street in the Germantown neighborhood. She was on her way to a friend's house when she was struck by a stray bullet in what was believed to be a crossfire. First responders found her inside her car with a gunshot wound to the head. She was rushed to Albert Einstein Medical Center in critical condition and succumbed to her injuries a few days later on August 29, 2020. Another individual, a 17-year-old female, was also wounded in the incident, suffering a gunshot to her hand.
The senseless death of Jasmine Lewis devastated her large, close-knit family and sent shockwaves through her community. Vigils were held in her memory, where friends, family, and teammates gathered to mourn the loss of a young woman on the cusp of a bright future. For years, her case remained unsolved, a painful open wound for her loved ones who pleaded for justice.
In a significant development, an arrest was made in connection with the murder of Jasmine Aaliyah Lewis on January 30, 2024. The suspect's case is currently pending trial, bringing a measure of hope to a family that has waited patiently for accountability. The City of Philadelphia had offered a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for her death.
