In the city of Camden, New Jersey, a young man's life was violently cut short, leaving a family heartbroken and a community searching for answers. Royon Price, a 19-year-old Black male, was the son of a local boxer who had tried to instill in him the discipline and strength to navigate the city's tough streets. But on the cold night of February 4, 2014, that training wasn't enough to save him.
The evening began with a conversation between Royon and his father, with no indication of the tragedy that was about to unfold.
Later that night, an argument broke out in an alleyway. The dispute escalated with brutal finality as Royon was shot multiple times. Despite his injuries, he managed to flee to his cousin's nearby home on Eutaw Street, a desperate bid for safety. In a show of incredible strength, the 5-foot-10, 235-pound young man broke down the locked back door to get inside. However, his pursuers were relentless. They followed him into the house, where the violence continued.
Inside the home, in a horrifying turn of events, Royon was shot again, this time in the face. His cousin, who bravely tried to pull him into a bedroom to shield him, was shot in the arm during the chaos but survived. Royon, however, succumbed to his numerous wounds. The coroner would later report a total of 26 bullet wounds. In the aftermath, his family was left to grapple with an immeasurable loss, made even more painful by the fact that Royon's girlfriend was pregnant at the time of his death.
In the years that have followed, the investigation into Royon Price's murder has faced significant hurdles. Despite public appeals for information and the enduring pain of his family, no arrests have ever been made in connection with his death. The individuals responsible for the shooting remain unidentified, and the case has grown cold, a painful and unsolved chapter in the city's history. His father continues to mourn and seek justice for his son, a young life full of potential that was tragically extinguished.
