Cornelius Foster Jr

Cornelius Foster Jr. was a 16-year-old Black male from Cincinnati with a promising future in music. Known as the aspiring rapper "Lil' Korn," he had already recorded several songs and posted music videos that garnered tens of thousands of views. His father, Cornelius Foster Sr., was incredibly proud of his son's talent and remembered him as an upbeat kid who brought laughter, joy, and happiness to his family. His mother is Tenille Burns. His family intended to keep his memory alive through his music, which they hoped would continue to be played from car stereos.

On the night of September 3, 2021, Cornelius was with friends in the Northside neighborhood of Cincinnati, recording a video outside in the 4400 block of Ammon Avenue. At around 10:51 p.m., shots were fired. Shortly after, Cornelius and two other male victims were taken by private vehicles to local hospitals. Cornelius was transported to Good Samaritan Hospital, where he was placed on life support. He succumbed to a gunshot wound the following day, September 4, 2021. The other two victims survived their injuries.

The Cincinnati Police Department’s Homicide Unit began an investigation into the shooting. Testimony from later court hearings revealed that the incident stemmed from a feud between two neighborhood gangs. Detectives testified that Cornelius was associated with a group from Evanston, and that he had recorded a "diss song" that disrespected a rival gang from the West End, which infuriated its members.

In February 2022, police announced an arrest in the case. J'oni Travis, an 18-year-old woman who was also a promising rapper known as "Lucc Bagz," was taken into custody in Lexington, Kentucky, on a murder warrant. Prosecutors stated that Travis was involved with a group of people who carried out the shooting, though no one else has been charged. Her attorney noted that about six months before Cornelius was killed, Travis herself had been seriously wounded in a shooting.

In March 2024, the case reached its legal conclusion in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. J'oni Travis, then 20, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in the death of Cornelius Foster Jr., as well as two counts of felonious assault for the wounding of the other two victims. Under an agreed plea deal, Judge Chris Wagner sentenced Travis to 6 to 7.5 years in prison. In court, Travis’s attorney stated that she "truly regrets her role in this crime." Cornelius's mother spoke directly to Travis, remarking, "Both of you had so much talent," before asking, "Was it worth it?"