Khaleel Kimbrough was a 22-year-old African American man from Canton, Ohio, who was killed on April 10, 2017. His body was found about 6 p.m. outside on Economy Court SE between the 1800 blocks of Fourth Street and Fifth Street SE. The cause of death was a single gunshot wound to the chest.

Investigators say a confrontation between Khaleel and 19-year-old Xavier L. Hatchett escalated into a physical fight. Khaleel tried to use pepper spray on Hatchett, and during the struggle a second man, 20-year-old Travonne L. Pounds, fired the fatal shot. Pounds later pleaded guilty to murder in December 2017 and agreed to testify against Hatchett; Hatchett subsequently reached a plea deal in January 2018 pleading guilty to tampering with evidence and receiving a three-year sentence while murder charges were dismissed.

Family remembered Khaleel as loving, kind, and funny; his mother LaDonya Kimbrough-Claybourne said she was disappointed in the suspects’ actions and supported the plea agreements to avoid another trial. His sister Alondra Kimbrough urged people to put down their guns and resolve conflicts peacefully.

If anyone knew Khaleel or has information about the events that night, please share what you know.