Romell L. Jones was an 11-year-old African American boy who was shot and killed on January 11, 2016, in Alton, Illinois. Police responded about 5:15 PM to reports of shots fired at a community recreation center on Acorn Street in the Alton Acres housing project and found Romell struck in the chest. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead.Raids in the investigation focused on an 18-year-old, Ta’Mon F.

Ford, who had gone to the area with several others over a social media dispute he had with other people. Witnesses said Ford fired a gun into a crowd from the back of a red Buick Valero; Romell was not involved in the dispute. Ford was charged with two counts of 1st Degree Murder, found guilty at trial, and later sentenced to 55 years in prison, including a 25-year enhancement for use of a firearm.

Romell’s mother, Sonja Dixon, described him as a devoted brother who loved family, school, and basketball, and said the family has not been able to move on.If anyone knew Romell or witnessed what happened that evening, please come forward with information.