JaVontae Allen Conner, 21, of Canton, Ohio, was found dead from gunshot wounds to his torso at about 3:14 a.m. on October 17, 2022, inside the living room of a home in the 1600 block of Oakmont Street NW. The Stark County Coroner’s Office pronounced him dead at the scene. An 18-year-old woman in the same home had a gunshot wound to her abdomen; she was alert and talking when police arrived and was taken to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital in an unknown condition.

Canton police are investigating and have not named any arrests or suspects. Authorities said there is no reason to believe the shooting is connected to Conner’s prior guilty plea in March 2020 for felony aggravated robbery. Family and friends remember him as loving and charismatic, with a passion for music, dance, and making people laugh.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Canton Police Detective Bureau, submit anonymous tips through Tip411, or reach out to Stark County Crimestoppers. Did anyone living near Oakmont Street or who knew JaVontae see or hear anything that night?