Jamiel Shaw, 17 [Updated]

March 2, 2008, 9:55 p.m.

Jamiel Shaw Jr., 17, a black youth, was shot in the head and back at 2150 5th Ave. in Arlington Heights about 8:40 p.m. on Sunday, March 2.

According to police, Jamiel was walking home when two Latino men jumped out of a white car and approached him. He was asked what gang he belonged to. When he failed to respond quickly enough, they shot him, police said.

The men sped away in the white car north on 5th Avenue, according to Officer Kate Lopez of LAPD's media relations office. Jamiel's father heard the shots and ran outside. He stayed by his son until medical personnel arrived, Lopez said.

He was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 9:55 p.m.

An excerpt follows from The Times article: A youth 'on track' until fatal gunfire

Stanford University called about Jamiel Shaw a week or so ago, intrigued by the slight but speedy running back for Los Angeles High School, the Southern League's most valuable player last year. Rutgers University called a few days later.

The Shaw family already had reason to be proud. Jamiel's mother, Army Sgt. Anita Shaw, was on her second tour of duty in Iraq.

On Sunday night, it was Jamiel's father on the phone and then his son's girlfriend, Chrystale Miles. Jamiel Sr. called to tell him to hurry home from the mall. The 17-year-old boy was three doors away when someone shot him to death while he was still talking on his cellphone to Chrystale, friends say.

Jamiel Sr. heard the shots almost as soon as he hung up. He ran out of the house, raced around the corner and found his son lying on the sidewalk, bleeding.

"She's over there trying to protect us from guns and bombs, and then she has to hear that her son is dead over here," he said of Anita on Monday. "I've got my own personal Iraq now."

Los Angeles police officials described the killing as random and senseless, cutting down a youth who had been doing everything right in his life -- from hitting the books to never missing church to inspiring the Los Angeles High Romans to last year's Southern League title.

A police spokeswoman said two Latino men pulled up in a car, jumped out, asked Jamiel if he belonged to a gang, and shot him when he didn't answer. She said Jamiel was not affiliated with a gang and that detectives had no suspects.

Anita Shaw was flying back from Iraq on Monday, family members said.

"She called crying, saying, 'Tell me it's not my son,' " said Jamiel's aunt, Althea Shaw. "She was so proud. She felt he had made it through the hard times. She still called him her baby, even though he was taller than her."
Keep reading: A youth 'on track' until fatal gunfire

[Update May 9, 2012: Gang member convicted in killing of football star Jamiel Shaw Jr.]

[Update November 2, 2012: Gang member sentenced to death in Jamiel Shaw slaying]

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49 reader comments

he was from R20s NHBloods gang they called him lil Spider-Man this was not a hate crime the bloods and 18street been at war since 1991 when a blood killed a 18st gang. Member at the rancho park and the war took off ever since the crips also war with the black p stone and rollin 20 bloods not I see a lot of crips rolling around with the 18streets so it’s not a race war it’s a turf war many black members from 18street as well there I also see different blood gangs that hang out with 18st and get slong it’s just the 20s and bps they mainly went to war with but I hear of a peace treaty in the making coming soon with some non profit organizations but let’s be honest these are consequences of joining a gang but rip to the Jamiel Shaw and I heard that the guy convicted of his murder was not the shooter

— Classmate March 9, 2021 at noon

It is just a few minutes past midnight, 2 March 2021, 13 years after the brutal, cold-blooded, impulsive murder of Jamiel Shaw II, an outstanding high school student and sportsman; a real good kid, doing everything right. Evil arrived just three doors from his own happy home, where he was returning for dinner that his father had prepared, while mom was doing a tour of dangerous Iraq for the U.S. Army. Jamiel was lucky to have his father in the family home, while so many kids have fatherless homes. He had a beautiful future ahead of him. His brutal murder ripped the heart out of his loving family. Once there was a gathering of Angelenos who showed up at the murder scene to support the family, honor Jamiel II, and brainstorm towards bringing reform to the senseless practices of violent murder, of letting anyone and everyone simply walk into our sovereign nation, to expect and to take, rather than for their love for us, and for America. The family were gracious enough that night to show me Jamiel's room, preserved and pristine, overflowing with trophies and awards. It was heartbreaking to behold, yet it made him seem still so alive, as if he'd walk through the door at any moment.
We have passed 13 years since the murder of Jamiel Shaw II, since the theft of his life and his future, and the loss of him from his family and friends. Incredibly, the situation is now worse. The Trump administration made a lot of progress for Americans in a myriad of ways, and got little publicity or thanks. Now we have a very dismal and destructive president, doing constant damage to our way of life. He's encouraging illegals to enter, including children without parents. Very dangerous for them. The governor intends to give illegals stimulus checks. The new district attorney Gascon, took a job he had no intention of doing. He is freeing vicious criminals from jail early, only to commit dozens of fresh crimes. He hates death penalty, but wants abortion on demand, the crushing of beating hearts and lives not lived.
We MUST fight back, and never give up. Recall the bad politicians. Let the time be up for them, not for innocent people like Jamiel Andre Shaw II.
Barbara Briodin, Wilshire Center

— Barbara Briodin March 2, 2021 at 1:06 a.m.

Your celebrities and stars of California will not side with you regarding illegal immigrants who have crossed over the CA border and now rule the communities throughout CA. That is because it has no effect on them in their luxury apartments high above the ruins or on the shiny beaches. They will do all kinds of political endorsements for those who welcome all who cross over illegally and get in line for free healthcare after having a child in the states. If a person trespasses onto US soil illegally, they have already committed their first crime-they will likely commit another.
Do not pay attention to the wealthy stars who will never know what it feels like to not know if your kid will make it home at night. I am not racist, I have latino blood cursing through my veins but I am not proud of the killers and vile women that hang onto the killers. Shame on you and the life you live.
NO HILARY for Me!

— Sharona July 21, 2016 at 8:44 p.m.

First of all I want to send my condolences to the family of Jamiel. No one should ever have to go through such a tragedy of a loved one. These sorts of crime are committed by not just "illegal immigrants." Time after time when I read the homicide report, you can clearly see who are the majority of individuals who commit murders. The majority are comitted by American born citizens. So Dianne, your comment is so racist, that it is people like you that promote this kind of behavior. I had two loved ones killed senseless by a black man, now should I think narrow-minded like you and think that every time I see a black man, I should think he might be a murderer. I hope the next time you decide to sit down in a restaurant, just think about who is the illegal immigrant creating and cooking your meal since you think most of them don't work hard.

— V March 25, 2016 at 5:34 p.m.

Every time I hear someone say that illegals "are just hard-working people looking for a better life," I think of this young man. Every time I hear a politician argue for "comprehensive immigration reform," which is almost always code for amnesty, I think of this young man. Every time I hear someone claim that illegals are a "net positive" for our society, I think of this young man. When Kate Steinle was killed, and most of America acted like it was the first time an innocent person was senselessly murdered by an illegal, I thought of this young man...and Anthony Bologna and his two sons, also killed by an illegal in San Francisco. Every time I hear someone call Donald Trump a bigot for telling the truth about the scourge of illegals in our country, I think of this young man.

— Dianne March 19, 2016 at 6:40 a.m.

I am so saddened by the loss of this young boy and the countless others like him. He had a promising future and for it to be ripped away by some criminal makes me sick. To find out that not only was he an illegal, he was a career criminal in and out of institutions from the time he was 10. 10! Really, and our tax dollars have to feed and house people who shouldn't be here in the first place. He should have been deported when he committed his first crime, by entering illegally or least after the first time he got caught breaking the law. Why are we wasting money on these criminals when we have good people going through bad times that are forced to live in the streets. Had he been deported after he was caught committing a crime, he would not have had the opportunity to commit other numerous violent crimes in our country. Instead he got 3 hot meals, showers and shelter which some of our own Veterans don't have. Then he gets out of jail once again and on the same day he is released he kills this bright young man. I can only say that I am sorry for your loss and have sent a small donation to help pass Jamiel's Law. May God bless the Shaw family and may Jamiel rest in peace.

— Lisa March 3, 2016 at 12:49 a.m.

The Homicide Report

Jamiel Shaw, 17 [Updated]

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