Keyon Sharp, a 24-year-old African American male, was fatally shot on September 30, 2008, in Chicago’s West Pullman neighborhood. The incident occurred at approximately 8:05 p.m. while he was sitting in his vehicle. Moments before the shooting, Keyon Sharp had picked up his infant son. The attack took place in the 900 block of West 115th Place, a residential area on the city’s South Side.
Following the shooting, authorities launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Keyon Sharp’s death. The case remained open for nearly a year until law enforcement officials identified a suspect. Jarell Q. Griffin, a 23-year-old man, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killing of Keyon Sharp. Griffin had fled Illinois after the incident, prompting detectives to seek assistance from the television program “America’s Most Wanted.” His information was added to the show’s website, which ultimately led to an anonymous tip being submitted to the FBI’s Chicago office.
The tip indicated that Jarell Q. Griffin was residing in Oakland, California. FBI agents in Oakland collaborated with local authorities to locate and apprehend Griffin. On August 25, 2009, Griffin was arrested at the home of a relative in Oakland. He waived extradition and was transported back to Chicago, where he was formally charged with the murder of Keyon Sharp. The arrest marked a significant development in the case, bringing some measure of closure to the investigation into the tragic death of the 24-year-old African American male.
