YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - Monday marks one year since the off-campus shootings that claimed the life of Youngstown State University senior Jamail Johnson.
Members of Johnson's fraternity Omega Psi Phi, Inc., along with the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, his family and friends held an anti-violence march in his memory.
The 25-year-old student, who was just three months away from graduation when he died, was remembered for ushering others to safety as gunfire broke out at an off-campus party.
"We remember Jamail E. Johnson for what he stood for. He was a peacemaker, he was a friend, and he stood for what is good here in Youngstown,' said Joe Parker, a fraternity brother and friend of Johnson.
The silence of more than 100 marchers spoke volumes as they walked from the Williamson College of Business, where Johnson studied, to just behind Kilcawley Center.
A tree has been planted in his honor.
Dan Smith of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity presented a proclamation to Johnson's parents Shirlene and Sidney Hill. The plaque, signed by Warren Mayor William Franklin, was to honor their son's life.
Johnson's mother tells 21 News, "He was my baby. He was trying to make a difference. He was in the community, going in and mentoring and tutoring at Wilson Middle School. He was trying to make a difference in other children's lives."
Six men are charged in connection with Jamail Johnson's murder and the wounding of 11 others.
"I forgive them, because forgiveness is not for them, it's for me to be able to go on with my life. I want justice to be served. I want them to never be able to step back out on these streets. Because I've been to court, and they don't show any remorse," said Johnson's mother. "They are laughing and blowing kisses. How dare you, when I am Jamail's mother and I'm sitting up in the court. That's hurtful. And I want to make sure no other mother goes through the pain that I am feeling."
His aunt, Lynn Johnson, couldn't fight back tears and says the family is standing strong in spite of their pain,
"It took him so long to get his degree and he was just three months away from graduating," Lynn said. "Nothing came easy for Jamail, but he was a good person and just kept trying. He didn't deserve to die like that."
The family spread their message of peace in memory of a son they say stood for all that is good. They say Jamail Johnson's legacy is not how he died, but how he lived.
