William Harvey Jr., a 19-year-old Black male from Canton, Ohio, was known to his neighbor as a “sweet kid” and a “teddy bear” who wouldn't hurt a fly. To his loved ones, he was Billy, and his loss left a void in a family that was already struggling.
On the afternoon of March 28, 2022, police responded to a report of a shooting at a townhouse in the 3500 block of Ellis Avenue NE. Inside the residence, officers discovered William and his friend, 19-year-old Jeremiah Burton. Both young men had been shot and were pronounced dead at the scene at 3:55 p.m. The Stark County Coroner's Office later confirmed through autopsies that both had died from gunshot injuries.
Canton police detectives launched a double homicide investigation in a neighborhood that residents said was troubled by frequent gunfire.
Investigators went door-to-door, canvassing for information and asking the public for tips that might lead to those responsible for the killings of the two teenagers.
The investigation led police to two suspects from the Cleveland area: Jayvion Burkes, who was 16 at the time of the shooting, and Lawrence J. Collins III, who was 17. Both were arrested and their cases were transferred to adult court to face charges in the deaths of William Harvey Jr. and Jeremiah Burton.
Both Jayvion Burkes and Lawrence J. Collins III ultimately pleaded guilty to two counts of involuntary manslaughter, along with firearm specifications. Stark County Common Pleas Judge Kristin G. Farmer sentenced each of them to serve 18 to 22.5 years in prison.
At the sentencing hearing for Burkes, William’s mother, Summer Wilder, addressed the court and the young man responsible for her son's death. "I just want you to know that you did a fine job of ruining our lives," she said. "We all lose in this situation. We all lose. Nobody wins here." William’s grandfather, Vince Gatlin, told Burkes he believed his remorse was sincere and urged him to use his time in prison to better himself. The case was resolved with the sentencings in September 2023.
