News

Actions

Family remembers man found dead in S. Fairmount as hardworking, a 'family person'

Posted at 11:07 PM, Jun 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-09 07:58:17-04

CINCINNATI — The family of a man shot and killed late Sunday night say they’re now on a quest for justice, as police continue to investigate.

Cincinnati Police officers found Jamell Rumph, 20, dead on the street near the 1600 block of Waverly Avenue in the South Fairmount neighborhood at about 2:30 a.m. Monday morning. Police said they responded to the scene after getting reports of a shooting.

Now, Rumph’s family and friends are trying to make sense of the tragedy, and to move forward.

“It was unexpected,” said Breonna Rumph, Jamell’s sister. “We wasn’t ready for this, but just to stay strong and keep pushing forward.”

Dozens gathered to remember Rumph — someone they say was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Family members told WCPO that Rumph had been attending a house party on Waverly, when he got into an altercation.

“The area he went to he wasn’t familiar with, and for some reason he got into a confrontation with some guys and he never made it home,” said Howard Miller, Rumph’s uncle.

Rumph had turned 20 only three days prior to being killed.

“He was a great brother,” Breonna said. “He was like a best friend to me, and I feel like I lost part of my heart.”

Beyond their affections for him, family said they wanted to be sure the community remembers him for what they described as his hardworking character.

“He wasn’t in the streets or anything,” said Eilexus Baskin, Rumph’s cousin. “He went to work; he had two jobs. All he did was work and hang out with his family.

“He was a family person,” Baskin said.

Cincinnati police haven’t announced any leads in the case, but family members remain hopeful justice will be served.

“The guys or the person who did it definitely need to be caught because that young guy’s life shouldn’t have been taken at all,” said Tameka Mills, another of Rumph’s cousin.

The family said they plan to hold a candlelight vigil Saturday night. They also set up a GoFundMe page to help cover Jamell's funeral expenses.