In the spring of 2017, the life of 20-year-old Jerell Bland was tragically cut short in his hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. On the evening of Wednesday, March 15, 2017, Bland was fatally shot, becoming another victim of the city's gun violence. A Black male, Jerell was known to his loved ones by the affectionate nickname '7 Jellybean.' He was a father and was employed as a stocker at Helen of Troy.
His sudden and violent death left his family and friends reeling in shock and grief.
Details surrounding the specific circumstances of the shooting have remained scarce in the public domain. Immediately following the incident, the Memphis Police Department launched a homicide investigation into Bland's death. In the days and weeks that followed, authorities worked to piece together the events that led to the fatal shooting. However, despite their efforts, the investigation quickly grew cold. There were no immediate arrests, and no suspects were publicly identified in connection with the crime.
Months turned into years, and the search for Jerell Bland's killer continued with no significant breakthroughs. News reports from as late as September 2017 indicated that the investigation was still very much active, but no new leads had emerged. The case has since faded from the headlines, joining a somber list of unsolved homicides in the city of Memphis. To this day, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been named, leaving a painful void and an unanswered quest for justice for the family and friends of Jerell Bland.
