Martavies Jarvel Blake, 21, of Rockford, Illinois, was killed on April 7, 2018. He attended Auburn High School and was remembered by family and friends for his loving nature and the joy he brought to others. Martavies was one of three men shot aboard a party bus rented for a birthday celebration that night.

According to trial testimony, the party bus was rented by Raheem King. King received a call saying his home had been robbed at gunpoint by two masked men, then ordered the bus stopped, checked on his girlfriend, and returned to confront several men on the bus. King, armed with a rifle and a handgun, ordered some passengers to the back and began shooting. Martavies Blake was shot twice; two other men aboard the bus were also shot.

Raheem King was arrested and tried; the judge found him guilty of first-degree murder and related charges and later imposed a sentence of natural life without parole. Martavies Blake’s mother, Teva Moore, and the other victims’ mothers have said the loss deeply affected them and that they plan to work with local youth in response.

Does anyone have memories of Martavies or information about that night that could add clarity to what happened?