Kerman Dent Jackson Jr. was 23 when he was found unresponsive in a residential area of Ocala, Florida, on the night of July 27, 2015. Initial reports say he suffered multiple gunshot wounds and the Ocala Police Department opened a homicide investigation. He was a lifelong Ocala resident and was remembered at funeral services held at the Chapel of Faith.

Family members named in reports include siblings Derrick Berryan, Succora Strange, and Jermaine Campbell, plus his grandmother Eva Mae Mobley and great-grandmother Mary Helen Caviness. Witnesses told investigators they had seen a suspicious vehicle near the scene; that vehicle was identified and its owner was questioned, but no arrests were announced at the time and detectives continued to follow leads.

The community held vigils and marches seeking justice, and family members publicly urged anyone with information to come forward.