The life of Richard "BigBo" Fowler, a 24-year-old Black / African American male, was tragically cut short in Saginaw, Michigan, during a violent incident that shook the community. Known to his friends and family as an aspiring rapper who loved performing and playing basketball, Fowler was driving with a friend, Marcel Wilson, when they became the targets of a shooting. The events unfolded after the pair stopped at a local gas station, where surveillance footage later played a crucial role in piecing together the timeline. As Fowler entered the station, another individual named J'ion Parker was seen leaving the store, while a white Dodge Charger waited at the pumps with Keondre Solomon and Samuel Leshawn Jackson inside.
As Fowler and Wilson departed the gas station and traveled down Williamson Street, the white Dodge Charger pursued them. The situation escalated rapidly when occupants of the Charger opened fire on Fowler’s vehicle, causing it to crash. Both men sustained severe gunshot wounds during the attack. While Wilson survived his injuries after being hospitalized, Fowler succumbed to his wounds, passing away on November 13, 2014. His death was felt deeply by his family, including his parents and siblings, who remembered him as a generous "gentleman" and a jokester who brought joy to those around him.
The subsequent investigation by law enforcement identified Samuel Leshawn Jackson as the shooter involved in the deadly pursuit. The case, which highlighted ongoing neighborhood rivalries in the area, moved through the legal system and resulted in a conviction for Jackson. He was found guilty on two counts of assault with intent to murder, along with charges for possessing a firearm during the commission of a felony and carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. For his role in the crime, Jackson was sentenced to serve between 235 months and 40 years in prison for the assault charges, with additional time for the weapons offenses.
