Columbus Jones

A Youngstown, OH man was sentenced to 92 years in prison for his role in the shooting death of a Youngstown State University student.

Columbus Jones, 23, was charged with murder and 11 counts of felonious assault after he allegedly shot 25-year-old Jamail Johnson in the back. Jones was found guilty of murder, 10 counts of felonious assault and shooting into a habitation by a jury of five men and seven women, according to the Youngstown Vindicator.

The shooting occurred after a fight broke out during a Feb. 6, 2011 Superbowl party Johnson and his fraternity brothers were hosting.

Gunfire erupted outside an Omega Psi Phi Fraternity house party after partygoers began fighting. Jones allegedly began shooting after being hit in the head with a bottle during a scuffle.

Rebecca Doherty, chief of the criminal divisional in the Mahoning County prosecutor’s office called the melee a “corner fistfight turned into a catastrophe,” according to the Vindicator.

Many of the 60 partygoers were students at Youngstown State University. Johnson was shot four times as he tried to usher people to safety inside the house during the gunfire, Doherty said.


Victim Jamail Johnson

The victim’s mother Shirlene Hill spoke during Jones’ sentencing begging the judge for a lengthy jail term.

“Your senseless act has cost me countless sleepless nights. Columbus, you robbed me of a precious treasure that night,” she said. “I can no longer hear his voice, or see his beautiful smile that would light up any room. That was all taken from me.”

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