Case Profiles #84
Ciera Jones
22-year-old Ciera “CeeCee” Jones was turning her life around. By July of 2021, she had the desire to become a better person, confiding in her adoptive mother that she was looking for positive change. Unfortunately, she would never have that opportunity. On July 5th, 2021, Ciera was standing outside of a community garden with a small group of people. This garden happened to be across the street from her home, where she lived with her mother and brother, in New Haven, Connecticut. It was between the hours of 2:30 and 3:30 in the afternoon when shots were fired into the group. Ciera was shot in the head and subsequently rushed to the local hospital, where she was put on life support. She died from her injuries two days later. Movement stalled in Ciera’s murder case until August of 2023 when suddenly three young men were arrested in connection with her murder, as well as a murder that happened several months prior to her death. It was rumored that her death was a result of retaliation for a rap she wrote that used “derogatory statements” towards a local group called the Exit 8 Gang. Apparently, this gang was known for its extremely violent tendencies, as well as trafficking drugs like fentanyl and heroin. It wasn’t until a few months later, in April of 2024, that Tyjon “T.J.” Preston was arrested on murder charges relating to Ciera, as well as conspiring to commit murder in the Tashawn Brown case - a teen who was murdered several months before Ciera. Despite this guilty plea, in which T.J. Preston admitted to shooting and killing Ciera, there has been no sentencing hearing scheduled yet. T.J. remains in prison where he has been since 2021.
Jamil Harmon and Treshawn Boyd
On January 11th, 2020, police were called just before 8:30 p.m. to an area near Washington Street in Dorchester, Massachusetts for reports of gunshots. Authorities arrived on scene to discover that two men were shot. One of the victims remains unidentified but miraculously survived his injuries after being shot in the chest and the bullet coming within an inch of his heart. The other victim was 19-year-old Treshawn Boyd. Treshawn was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival. Devastatingly, Treshawn was killed just five days shy of his 20th birthday. He was also just several blocks and a half mile away from the scene of his father’s murder when he was shot.
Ten years earlier, on August 18th, 2010, 26-year-old Jamil Harmon was fatally stabbed on Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester. Treshawn was 10-years-old at the time. There is little evidence or information and Jamil’s murder is unsolved. Treshawn’s mom Sacora said in an interview with the Boston Globe that Treshawn was a happy kid and that his happiness was infectious. He was ambitious, graduating from high school in Jamaica Plain and attending a local community college in both engineering and business classes. He balanced school and working, and his dream was to buy his mom a car as she walked or took the bus everywhere. He one day hoped to buy her a house after he bought her a car.
Several days after Treshawn’s murder, police arrested 18-year-old Daventy Walker. He was charged with murder, armed assault to murder, and carrying a firearm without a license, and he pleaded not guilty to all charges. His lawyer had stated via email that he “has denied any wrong doing and entered a plea of not guilty. He looks forward to clearing his name.” Police believe there are at least one, if not two or more, others who were involved in the shooting.
Sacora stated, “He was everything that I lived for. Everything I did was for him. He saved my life. Everywhere he went he was shining, he was glowing. He was a happy kid, he didn’t have no worries.” She went on to say, “And now this, now I lose my son. They took that away from me too. I will never have grandkids. I will never have nothing.” Anyone with any information on the murders of Treshawn Boyd and Jamil Harmon is asked to please call Boston police detectives at 617-343-4470, the CrimeStoppers anonymous tip line by calling 1-800-494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). Witnesses and loved ones in need of counseling can call the Boston Neighborhood Trauma Team at 617-431-0125.
Image sources:
nhregister.com - “New Haven police, mayor announcement arrest in July 5, 2021, Truman Street homicide”
bostonglobe.com - “Teen killed blocks from where his father died 10 years earlier”