This week marks nine years since Jason Cummings was shot and killed in cold blood as he walked home from work on Cleveland’s east side.
Cummings, 29, worked as a barber at First Draft Picks on East 114th and Superior. He was on his way home after his shift on April 4, 2009, when he was jumped in an alley on East 108th and Superior, just six houses away from where he lived.
Reports indicate four men robbed Cummings and then pistol-whipped him. Before leaving, they shot Cummings in the back of the leg, the bullet piercing his femoral artery.
Cummings died on April 5, 2009.
Nine years later, no one has ever been arrested in the case.
His mother, Lynn Cummings, has heard whispers and rumors of the gunmen’s names, but no one has ever come forward.
But for Lynn, a mother who was forced to bury her son far too early, there is no anger, no bitterness.
Instead, she finds peace in prayer.
“I forgive them. I forgive those young men,” she said. “I just want them to allow me to get the closure and the peace.”
Lynn, who is an elder in her church, wants to meet the men who killed her son so that she can help them.
“I can’t do anything for my son, and I know where he is. I believe he’s resting with God,” she said. “But I’ll be there for them. I’ll help them. I just feel in my heart that this was not their intention, to kill him.”
Lynn said she has been in continuous contact with the Cleveland Police homicide detective assigned to her son’s case, Det. Kathleen Carlin, and believes the detective has done everything in her power to bring justice.
“She’s become like family. She even calls him by his nickname, Jay,” Lynn said. “I’m saying the same thing today that I said nine years ago. I’m not angry with the people that and shot and killed my son, I just want to help them now.”
CrimeStoppers is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment in this case. You can remain anonymous and never have to appear as a witness in court.
Tips can be submitted online at www.25crime.com or by calling 216-252-7463.
