Ja’Bez Giovanni Luciano Battle, 19, was shot and killed on December 31, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. He was found with a gunshot wound on the 4000 block of Refugee Road around 10:30 p.m. and was later pronounced dead at Mount Carmel East Hospital.

Jasper Hardy Banks, 24, was arrested and charged in connection with the shooting. He pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced by Judge Michael Holbrook to between 11 and 16 1/2 years in prison. Ja’Bez was remembered by his community and family for his passion for football, his close bond with his siblings, and his role as a protector and supporter within his family.

Does anyone have memories of Ja’Bez, or information about the night of December 31 that could add detail to what happened?