Jayquon Tillman, an 18-year-old Eastern Michigan University student was fatally shot Saturday, May 6 at a party four miles away from Kent State University in Portage County, Ohio.
According to the Akron Beacon Journal, the Portage County sheriff’s said deputies were dispatched to a large party at a multi-family residence on state Route 43 in Franklin Township around 11:30 p.m. Friday, May 5.
The police deputies were not originally dispatched to the party because of gunfire. “While deputies were talking to people who live at the home, they heard gunshots inside,” reported the Akron Beacon Journal.
According to a police release, Tillman and 20-year-old Cheyenne Lee from Columbus Ohio were treated at University Hospitals Portage Medical Center and Summa Akron City Hospital respectively for gunshot wounds. Tillman was pronounced dead at 12:43 a.m. and Lee was treated and released.
According to the Aurora Advocate, Lt. Gregory Johnson of the sheriff’s department said no arrests have been made and no suspects identified as of Saturday morning.
Tillman was a sophomore at EMU and a member of Delta Nu Chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity and the Kings of Color Student organization at Eastern. He also was involved in Washtenaw County My Brothers Keeper as a member of its Young Brother's Leadership Council.
“It is with the deepest of sympathy that we mourn the death of Jayquon Tillman,” said Eastern Michigan University President James Smith in a news release.
“Our heartfelt thoughts go out to his family and friends at this time of grief and sorrow. We stand by to offer whatever support the University can provide to all of those who cared for him and loved him.”
Several Eastern Michigan University students have turned to social media to express their grief over Tillman’s death.
Desmine Robinson, a sophomore at EMU and fellow member of the Wasthenaw County's Youth Council's My Brother's Keeper initiative posted on Facebook: “Jay and I got along because we both like to talk about the "big things" of life and he was such a chill and easy to talk to kind of guy- and we were both about our work.”
“This man was brave and mature, he had so much he wanted to do.... I would be crushed to see this potential evaporate before my eyes..... so I won't let it. Jay's legacy will be implemented in the work we do with MBK- we will dedicate our progress and work to him and all the other amazing boys we lose everyday who were just as promising as Jay.”
A GoFundMe page was created on Sunday, May 7 to help raise money for Tillman’s funeral. So far, 262 people have donated $7,269 for Tillman and his family. The GoFundMe page has a goal of $10,000.
"All I got right now is my faith," said Jayquon's mother, LaToya Williams to Fox 8 Cleveland. "I trust God. Again I'll never understand this. It's very painful but I loved him [Jayquon] a lot; my family loved him but God loved him more."
Anyone with information is asked to call the Portage County Sheriff’s Office at 330-296-5100, ext: 0.
EMU Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is prepared to offer counseling to students seeking support. Students can access CAPS’ after-hours phone support in the evenings and weekends by calling 734-487-1118. On weekdays, students can make an appointment to talk to a counselor by calling 734-487-1118 during business hours.
