Amber Therese Jackson, a 25-year-old African American woman, was tragically killed on May 16, 2018, in North Philadelphia. Officers responded to a residence on the 1500 block of West Oakdale Street around 5:15 p.m., where they discovered Jackson on the second floor with a gunshot wound to the head. She was pronounced dead shortly after their arrival.
Jackson was known for her advocacy against gun violence in the Philadelphia area, making her death particularly heartbreaking and ironic.
She was described by her family as outgoing and lovable, someone who could go anywhere and be safe. Her aunt, Christine Smith Starks, expressed deep sorrow over the loss, stating that Jackson was "one of the good ones" and that she had believed she was safe in her home.
Authorities quickly identified 21-year-old Khaleem Martin as the suspect in Jackson’s death. Martin, who was reportedly her boyfriend, was charged with her murder. He had previously been arrested on aggravated assault and weapons charges in February 2018, leading Jackson’s family to question why he was not already behind bars at the time of the shooting. On May 18, 2018, Martin surrendered to authorities after being publicly identified as the suspect.
Investigators reviewed surveillance footage to gather more information about the circumstances surrounding Jackson’s death. Martin was described as 6'2", weighing 180 lbs., with brown eyes, black hair, and tattoos surrounding his eyebrow area. Police also noted that he had a tattoo of the animated character "Jack Skellington" on one of his forearms. He was considered armed and dangerous before his surrender.
Jackson’s death was a devastating loss for her family and community, particularly given her dedication to reducing gun violence. Her tragic passing underscored the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the dangers posed by firearms in intimate relationships.
