Jermaine Kyran Allen, a man remembered for the big smile he always seemed to wear, was a beloved member of his Memphis, Tennessee, community. Born on February 2, 1973, he was 43 years old when his life was cut short. Those who knew him left messages of love and support for his family, holding on to the memory of a man who brought light to their lives. One friend recalled how she would always keep his smile in her memories. He was a family man, and his passing left a deep void for his children and stepchildren, Murice, Tersa, Maurice, Reeshemah, and Roderick, as well as numerous grandchildren, nieces, and nephews who survived him.
The final day of Jermaine’s life was Sunday, March 6, 2016. On that day, he became a victim of fatal gun violence in his home city of Memphis. Beyond that stark fact, nearly every other detail about the circumstances of his death remains a mystery.
There have been no public reports from law enforcement about the specific location or time of the shooting. What led to the violence, whether there were any witnesses, or if a motive was ever established are questions that have gone unanswered in the public sphere. His death was one of a staggering number of homicides that plagued Memphis in 2016, a year that saw a significant spike in violence.
The investigation into Jermaine Allen's murder was handled by the Memphis Police Department. However, the case quickly went cold, with no information released about potential suspects, persons of interest, or any leads that detectives may have been pursuing. No descriptions of a perpetrator or a getaway vehicle were ever shared with the public, and no arrests have ever been announced in connection with the crime. For years, his case has remained in the files of unsolved homicides, a painful and unending mystery for his loved ones who are still searching for justice and closure.
In the days following his death, Jermaine’s family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes. A wake was held on a Friday evening at Harrison's Memorial Chapel on Mill Branch Road, where loved ones shared memories and comforted one another. The following day, a funeral service was held at the Greater Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on Johnson Avenue. The messages of condolence that poured in spoke of a community in shock, with friends offering prayers for his mother, Janice, and the entire family. One mourner wrote, "Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal."
A final ceremony took place the following Monday, where Jermaine Kyran Allen was laid to rest. He was buried at the West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery on Forest Hill Irene Road, an honor that suggests a history of service to his country. The dignity of his final resting place stands in stark contrast to the unresolved violence that ended his life.
Years have passed since Jermaine Allen was killed, and his case remains unsolved. His family has been left to navigate their grief without the solace of knowing who was responsible for their loss or why it happened. His name is listed among the many victims of gun violence, and his photo is included in a gallery of Memphis's 2016 homicide victims, a somber reminder of a violent year in the city's history. With no new information or leads publicly reported, the case stands still, a cold file waiting for a break that might one day bring answers to a family that has waited far too long.
