Community holds vigil for murdered man

FAIRHOPE, Ala. (WALA) - Friends and family of Fairhope murder victim Donald “DJ” Howard gathered Monday, January 28, to remember and celebrate his life.

A candlelight vigil was held at Howard’s old barber shop in the area of Young Street near Nichols Avenue.

“He was a good kid and for this to happen, it's beyond a tragedy,” said Calvin Hunt, who organized the event. “I don't have to speak about how good this guy was. The crowd speaks for itself.”

Hundreds gathered to share their grief and also talk about the good times.

The vigil, however, also served as an anti-violence rally; motivating the community to come together.

“I can't explain the feeling,” said DJs cousin Brian Howard. “What my aunt is going through, nobody can understand.”

“When you grow up in a neighborhood it takes more than one family to raise that child,” said DJ's oldest brother, Devan Howard. “That's what we had around here.”

Howard’s body was found January 25 in the Plateau Cemetery off Bay Bridge Road in Mobile.

The discovery came one day after FOX10 reported a second arrest had been made in connection to the case.

Authorities arrested Jamon Lawrence, 20, for first-degree hindering prosecution.

Investigators believe Howard had been shot numerous times, days before a witness alerted authorities about the crime.

Officials said acting on tips from the witness, deputies responded to a mobile home property off Parker Avenue in Fairhope, where they found evidence that Howard had sustained non-survivable injuries. Deputies said when they arrived, however, his body was not at the crime scene.

Immanuel Jenkins, 22, was arrested and charged with capital murder the following day.

Howard’s funeral is set for Saturday, February 2.

If you would like to help with the final expenses, a benefit account has been set up. You can go to any Wells Fargo and say you would like to donate to the ‘Donald Jefferson Howard’ benefit account.