In a tragic turn of events on a June night in 2013, a young man's life was cut short in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Ian Juma, a 21-year-old male of Kenyan descent, was fatally shot on Saturday, June 29, 2013. The incident occurred around 10:20 p.m. behind a residence on Eighth Avenue. Juma was rushed to St. Luke's University Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after midnight.
He was a graduate of Liberty High School and left behind a young son and his fiancée.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that it was not a random act of violence. Authorities determined that Juma had arranged to meet with an individual for a drug transaction involving marijuana. This meeting, however, took a fatal turn. An argument erupted during the encounter, escalating to the point where Juma was shot in the back. The act was later described by the Senior Deputy District Attorney as 'a cowardly act.'
In the course of their investigation, police identified Kawan Morrison as the individual who shot Juma. Another man, Darrell Turner, was also arrested on drug charges related to the incident, as Juma had reportedly been in contact with him to arrange the sale of marijuana. However, it was Morrison who faced charges for the homicide.
Ultimately, Kawan Morrison pleaded guilty to third-degree murder for his role in Ian Juma's death. In December 2016, a judge sentenced him to 12 to 24 years in state prison. During his sentencing, a remorseful Morrison offered a tearful apology to Juma's family, expressing that both men should have been able to walk away from the encounter. The tragic incident left a lasting impact on Juma's family, with his fiancée noting that their son suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder following his father's violent death.
