This is part one of a two-part series on fraternity house shooting victim Jamail Johnson.
It was the worst mass shooting in Youngstown's history.
Eleven people were shot and one person was killed. Monday marks the one-year anniversary of the Youngstown State University off-campus frat house shooting.
Jamail Johnson, 25, died when the alleged shooters opened fire at Omega Psi Phi's satellite house, after being asked to leave a party. Johnson's family said all he wanted to do was make a difference in life.
From a young age, Johnson could play to the camera.
"He was just loving and caring. He was just always going to keep a smile on your face," said Shirlene Hill, Johnson's mother.
His Aunt Deborah remembers losing her sister, crying, and little Jamail knowing exactly what to say.
"I remember this little hand, patting me on the shoulder, and saying 'Aunt Debbie, it's going to be OK'," Deborah Whitlow said of her nephew.
Johnson wanted to be a role model, so he tutored students at Wilson Middle School in Youngstown.
"He just wanted to make a difference, and that's the way I raised him," Hill said.
That strong family background remained deep rooted in Johnson, even as an adult. He relied on his mom for advice, even when it was about his love life.
"New Year's Day, my son called me at my job and told me 'you know what mom, you may have thought I wasn't listening, but I just wanted to let you know that I made Jaylanna my girlfriend, and I will be bringing her up here to meet you'," Hill said.
That meeting was set for Super Bowl Sunday, but never happened. On Feb. 6, 2011, Johnson checked in on his fraternity brothers at their Indiana Avenue frat house. A party was going on, and there was an altercation. Two men were asked to leave. They returned with semi automatic guns and started shooting.
Those shots injured 11 people and killed Johnson.
"It's not supposed to be, ever be, where you bury your child. Your child is supposed to bury you," Hill said.
Charged with Johnson's murder were Columbus Jones Jr., Mark Jones, Jamelle Jackson and Braylon Rogers. The murder charge against Rogers has since been dropped.
But for the Hill family, the arrests can't bring Johnson back, and all they have now are memories.
"I miss my son dearly. He was the love of my life," Hill said.
Watch Tuesday's newscast or check out this site for the second part of the story.
