Jason Kinney

Jason D. Kinney was a beloved son and a proud father, a young man with a large and loving family who cherished him deeply. At 26 years old, Jason, an African-American man, was the son of Demetrious and Tawana Kinney. He had a young son of his own, also named Jason, with his son's mother, Monique. He was part of a tight-knit family, with five brothers—Jameel, Joseph, Javon, Jerry, and Joshua—and a sister, Theresa. A former student at Eastern Senior High School, he was remembered by a classmate as someone who brought laughter to everyone in his pre-law program. His family recalled him as a genuine and sincere young man who taught them much in his short time. In a message to her son, his mother wrote, "I love you and miss you so much... I know you are in a better place."

The summer night of Friday, July 13, 2007, ended that life in a sudden burst of violence. Just seven minutes before midnight, at approximately 11:53 p.m., Jason was on the 1500 block of East Capitol Street, SE. This wide, well-known thoroughfare, which divides the northeast and southeast quadrants of Washington, D.C., became a crime scene when shots rang out. When officers from the Metropolitan Police Department arrived, they found Jason suffering from gunshot wounds. He was rushed to a local hospital, but his injuries were too severe, and he was pronounced dead.

The investigation into Jason’s murder was launched by the MPD's Violent Crimes Branch. Detectives began the difficult work of piecing together the final moments of his life, seeking witnesses and evidence in a crime that left few immediate clues. In the years that followed, Jason's case was added to the city’s list of unsolved homicides. While a police database later categorized the shooting as potentially gang-related, no suspects have ever been publicly identified, and no arrests have been made. The lack of resolution has left his family with unanswered questions and a grief that does not fade.

Years after his death, his loved ones continued to post messages of remembrance. "It's been 9 years since you went to be with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ," his father wrote in 2016. "It really seems like yesterday... You're missed emincley [sic]. You have plenty of nieces and nephews who would have loved to have a relationship with you. Your son Jason (JJ) is 5'2" and he's about 15 year old. He really misses his dad." His brothers also shared their pain, writing, "There's a huge void left in the strength of having 5 brothers. We all miss you and love you dearly."

Jason’s funeral service was held on Saturday, July 21, 2007, at the Soul Factory XII Gates in Forestville, Maryland, before he was laid to rest at Harmony Memorial Park. The service was a testament to the many lives he had touched, drawing a host of loved ones and friends who came to mourn the man they had lost so senselessly.

As of today, the murder of Jason Kinney remains an open and unsolved case. The Metropolitan Police Department continues to seek assistance from the public in gathering any information that might lead to a breakthrough. The department offers a reward of up to $25,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for any homicide in the District of Columbia. Detectives continue to hope that someone will come forward with the key piece of information that can finally bring justice to Jason's killers and a measure of peace to the family that still mourns him. Anyone with information is urged to contact the police.