In the autumn of 2014, a tragic event unfolded in Gary, Indiana, forever altering the lives of those involved. On the evening of October 24th, 13-year-old Kobe Jones was fatally shot near his home in the 1000 block of Polk Street. The young male was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:31 p.m. from multiple gunshot wounds.
The incident began earlier that day when Khanji Fairley, a neighbor of Kobe's, discovered his home had been burglarized.
Recently released from jail, Fairley became enraged and began to question people in the neighborhood about the break-in. His inquiries eventually led him to Kobe, who was on his own front porch. Reports indicate that when confronted, Kobe laughed, an act that allegedly provoked Fairley to shoot the teenager multiple times.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Fairley and his 32-year-old girlfriend were seen leaving the area. However, they returned to the scene approximately two hours later, after law enforcement had begun their investigation, and were subsequently taken into custody. On October 27, 2014, Khanji Fairley was formally charged with murder in connection with the death of Kobe Jones. The senseless nature of the crime sent shockwaves through the Gary community, leaving family and residents to mourn the sudden and violent loss of a young life.
