On the early morning of September 4, 2010, 16-year-old Jason Jay William Willis was fatally shot while standing on the front porch of his home at 928 Work Drive in Akron, Ohio. He was an African American youth born June 27, 1994, in Cleveland and was adopted as an infant by Dortha and Anthony Jackson. Jason was about to enter 10th grade at John R. Buchtel High School and enjoyed basketball, music, and drawing. He was known to family for his warm heart and sense of humor.

The shooting remains unsolved. Authorities, including the Ohio Attorney General’s office, list the case as an open homicide investigation; no arrests or publicly identified suspects have been reported. Jason’s family continues to seek answers and remember him for the life he was building and the relationships he cherished.

If anyone has information that could help bring justice for Jason, please come forward.