Nino Thomas II, 29, was found dead from a gunshot wound in a vacant lot at 501 Edgewood Avenue in Akron, Ohio, on December 24, 2018. His body was discovered at about 9:00 a.m. and authorities have described his death as a homicide.

Thomas had ties to the local community, having attended Akron Public Schools and Stark State College; family described him as friendly and loving with a zest for life. The circumstances of the shooting remain unclear, and the location where he was found—an isolated vacant lot—has raised questions about whether he was targeted and then left there. Akron Police Department is investigating but has not publicly identified any suspects or motives.

The case remains unsolved and investigators are asking anyone with information to contact local authorities. Did anyone in the community see or hear anything unusual around Edgewood Avenue on or before December 24, 2018?