Ahmeen Palmer was a 15-year-old Williamsport Area High School student described by family as funny, intelligent, goofy, and athletic. His life ended on the evening of Saturday, March 2, 2024, when he was shot while at a T.G.I. Friday’s in Loyalsock Township celebrating a friend’s birthday.

A separate birthday party at the restaurant included the 13-year-old brother of the alleged shooter; reports say an incident two weeks earlier in which Ahmeen slapped that boy helped spark the confrontation. Around 6:15 p.m., the boy called his mother, Johneice Francin Legare, who arrived with her 17-year-old son, Ja’hsir Legare. An associate of the Legare family allegedly challenged Ahmeen to a fight outside, and moments later five shots were fired. Ahmeen suffered multiple gunshot wounds, including one to the back of the head and wounds to both legs, and died after being taken to UPMC Williamsport. Investigators recovered five 9mm casings and found two uninvolved cars struck by bullets; the murder weapon has not been recovered.

Johneice Legare, 42, was arrested in connection with the killing and was held for preliminary proceedings. Ja’hsir Legare has been identified as the suspected shooter and remains at large. If anyone was at the restaurant that night or has information about Ja’hsir Legare’s whereabouts, please share what you know with investigators.