Jaroe J. Perry, known affectionately to friends and family as Jah or Bless, was a beloved husband, father, and son who was deeply committed to his family. The 41-year-old man, born in Brooklyn, New York, was remembered for his warmth, strength, and insightful nature. Jaroe was the owner of J&J Abatement, where he was respected for his integrity and dedication.
Family was the cornerstone of his life; he cherished his roles as a husband to his wife, Michelle Pierre Perry, whom he had married the previous year, and as a father to his children, King-Joseph Perry, Samiyya Kelly, and Damonte Griggs. He and his wife dreamed of a future together in Trinidad. His loved ones described him as a protective and caring figure, a beacon of wisdom whose presence was a blessing to all who knew him.
The evening of September 29, 2026, turned tragic in Allentown, Pennsylvania. According to the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office, an argument began between Jaroe and a man named Barrett Griggs inside a home on the 900 block of South Filmore Street. The dispute spilled outside and escalated into a physical fight. After the fight, Griggs allegedly went back into the house, retrieved a firearm, and returned to shoot Jaroe. The shooting occurred shortly after 8:00 p.m. in the area of South Front and East Susquehanna streets.
When Allentown police officers arrived at the scene, they found Jaroe suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was given medical treatment on-site before being rushed to St. Luke's University Hospital in Bethlehem. Despite the efforts to save him, Jaroe J. Perry was pronounced dead in the emergency room at 9:00 p.m. The Lehigh County Coroner's Office later conducted an autopsy and officially ruled his death a homicide caused by multiple gunshot wounds. Jaroe's death was one of two unrelated fatal shootings that shocked the city of Allentown that night.
The investigation into Jaroe's death was handled by the Allentown Police Department, the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force, and the Lehigh County District Attorney's Office. Police arrested 39-year-old Barrett Griggs of Schuylkill Haven at the scene. According to court documents, Griggs admitted to the shooting. While in a holding cell, he allegedly told police, "No ifs, ands or buts about it, I did it," and asked if the man he shot was still alive. Investigators recovered a semi-automatic handgun at the scene with ammunition that matched the shell casings found near Jaroe's body.
Barrett Griggs was charged with criminal homicide and a firearms offense for persons not to possess a firearm. He was arraigned and sent to Lehigh County Jail without bail. The district attorney's office credited the quick arrest to the collaboration between investigators, cooperation from the community, and the availability of private and public surveillance video that captured the shooting.
In the wake of the tragedy, Jaroe's family was left to navigate immense grief and the unexpected financial strain of funeral expenses. His aunt, Sharon Williams, organized a GoFundMe campaign to help cover the costs of a funeral and cremation, allowing the family to focus on mourning their loss. A memorial service to celebrate Jaroe's life was held on October 18, 2026, at the Guarino Funeral Home of Canarsie in Brooklyn, New York, where friends and family gathered to remember the remarkable man who had left a lasting mark on their lives. As of October 2026, the criminal case against Barrett Griggs was proceeding through the court system.
