Florida A&M hosted a candlelight vigil Saturday for Jamee Johnson.
Johnson, who had attended FAMU, was killed Dec. 14 in an officer-involved shooting in Jacksonville.
Over 60 people were in attendance in the Grand Ballroom to celebrate Johnson’s life. His family, including his mother and siblings, were present.
The candlelight vigil was put together by FAMU’s Student Government Association, which said it was important for everyone to come out and celebrate Johnson’s life.
Kaelin Randle, SGA’s secretary of state, explained how important it was for the candlelight vigil to be publicized in order to see how Johnson’s death impacted so many people.
“It was very important for us to make this publicized and open to the press for everyone to see how it has impacted the campus. He had so many loved ones and so many SBI faculty that are devastated by his loss,” Randle said.
Johnson was a business administration student who planned to use his degree to one day open his own shoe company. He also wanted to give back to less fortunate kids in the most challenging areas to make sure they had more opportunities.
Family and friends paid tribute to Johnson, who they say strived for success and meant no harm to anyone.
Senior education student Ty’Corrien Cromer, who was a close friend of Johnson’s, described who Johnson was.
“Jamee was the life of the party, as well as an intelligent individual who had dreams of being great. He had the biggest heart and would never back down from a challenge,” he said. “He really showed affection to his loved ones and would never mean harm to anyone.”
Professors, siblings and friends spoke highly of Johnson and the impact he had by showing his intelligence, intuition and kind-heartedness.
When times get hard, family sticks together, said student body president Rochard Moricette, an agricultural business major.
“We always preach that we’re a famuly, so when times get hard family sticks together. I’m really proud of the turnout from our students to collectively come together to show the impact Jamee had on many lives here at FAMU,” Moricette said.
Although Johnson will be missed, his friends and family promise they will not go down without a fight until justice is served. Two prominent civil rights attorneys, including Ben Crump of Tallahassee, are representing the family.
State Rep. Ramon Alexander, a Democrat and a FAMU graduate, has called for a detailed independent investigation” into Johnson’s death.