In the spring of 2019, the life of 36-year-old Gewayne Dyrelle Gilbert, a Black/African American male, was tragically cut short in Birmingham, Alabama. On the evening of May 31st, gunshots echoed in the 3100 block of Ensley Avenue. Responding officers discovered Gilbert in a business parking lot just after 9:30 p.m., suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite the efforts of first responders, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting led authorities to a suspect, 20-year-old Jha'Kiren De'Antres Grier of Sterrett, Alabama. Grier was subsequently arrested and charged with murder in connection with Gilbert's death. Evidence gathered at the scene, including numerous bullet casings, painted a grim picture of the violence that had transpired. A nearby business's window was also struck by a bullet during the incident.
In April 2022, the case against Jha'Kiren De'Antres Grier went to trial. A Jefferson County jury ultimately found Grier guilty of a lesser charge of reckless manslaughter. The verdict indicated that the jury believed Grier's actions were reckless and directly resulted in Gewayne Gilbert's death, though not necessarily with premeditated intent to murder. Following the conviction, Grier was sentenced to serve 15 years in prison for his role in the fatal shooting.
