Bobby L. Prince Jr.

Bobby L. Prince Jr., a 24-year-old Black man remembered for his pleasant and mannerly nature, was killed in his Akron, Ohio, home more than a decade ago in a case that still awaits resolution. Born on October 3, 1986, Bobby was a member of the Akron Missionary Baptist Church and a cherished part of a large, close-knit family. He is remembered with love by his parents, Tina L. Ford and Bobby L. Prince Sr., his siblings, and a wide circle of relatives and devoted friends who knew him as "Lil' Bobby." Those who knew him recalled a young man who was always pleasant and welcome in their homes.

The afternoon of Monday, October 25, 2010, brought sudden violence to his residence at 889 Triplett Boulevard in Akron. At approximately 4:20 p.m., one or more unknown individuals forced their way into the house. A struggle broke out between Bobby and the intruders, which ended with Bobby being robbed and fatally shot. He was discovered inside his home with a gunshot wound to his torso and was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:20 p.m. by the Summit County Medical Examiner's Office. An autopsy was scheduled for the following day.

The Akron Police Department immediately launched a homicide investigation into Bobby's death. Despite their efforts, investigators have struggled to identify any suspects or generate strong leads in the years since the killing. The case has been reviewed by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and is featured on the Ohio Attorney General's Unsolved Homicides database, a public effort to bring fresh attention to cold cases across the state.

The profound loss has left a lasting impact on Bobby's family and the community. His parents, Tina L. Ford and Bobby L. Prince Sr., and his brothers and sister—Laurence C. Ford, Dmitri Prince, Brandon Johnson, and LaNeish Wright—were left to mourn his sudden death. A memorial service to celebrate his life was held on November 1, 2010, at the Rhoden Memorial Home, where friends and family gathered to pay their respects. A memorial dinner followed at the Joy Park Community Center. The family's grief was compounded years later when Bobby's father, Bobby Sr., passed away in September 2021 after a battle with cancer. His obituary noted that he was preceded in death by his beloved son, Bobby Jr.

The community has not forgotten the injustice of Bobby's death. Friends and loved ones have shared condolences and memories, recalling a young man with a good heart. One friend of the family remembered often cooking for "Lil' Bobby" and his friends, praying that the family finds peace in the promise of seeing him again one day.

As of today, the murder of Bobby L. Prince Jr. remains an active and unsolved case. Both the Akron Police Department and the Ohio Attorney General's Office continue to seek information from the public that might provide the breakthrough needed to solve the crime. Authorities urge anyone with knowledge of the events that occurred on that tragic afternoon to come forward and help bring closure to a family that has waited too long for answers and justice. Anyone with information is encouraged to submit a tip to the Ohio Attorney General's office or the Akron Police Department.