Jaleel Merritt, 24, was fatally shot on the evening of Monday, December 9, 2019, on the 700 block of Center Street in Columbus, Georgia. Columbus Police responded and Merritt was pronounced dead that night; his death was ruled a homicide. Friends and family remember him by the nickname Hotbox JJ and describe him as having a big heart and a funny, goofy personality.

If anyone knew Jaleel or has information about the December 9, 2019 shooting, please come forward to assist the ongoing investigation.