On the night of Saturday, August 22, 2015, 31-year-old Fajri J. Hilson, known to friends as Joey, was sitting in his car outside Max’s Lounge on Highland Avenue in Niagara Falls when he was shot multiple times at about 1:45 a.m. The area contained an estimated 50 to 100 people. Two individuals drove Hilson to Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center, but he did not survive.

Early investigation by the Niagara Falls Police Department was hampered by a lack of cooperation from witnesses despite promising leads. In the months after the killing, twin brothers Keon and Deon McTyere were identified as primary suspects; police say the brothers walked up to both sides of Hilson’s vehicle and fired multiple close-range shots before fleeing. In November 2015 both brothers were arrested and charged with second-degree murder and criminal possession of a weapon. In August 2016 the McTyere twins admitted their roles and were sentenced to 20 years in prison each, followed by five years of post-release supervision.

Hilson is remembered in reports as a loving father, son, brother, and protector. If anyone who was at Max’s Lounge that night or who has information about the shooting can help, please come forward and contact investigators.