Metro-east family awaits answers about the shooting death of 20-year-old Jermaine Bonner Jr.

Jermaine Bonner Sr. describes his late son as laid back and a bit shy.

He was loved by his family and friends, who are awaiting answers about why Jermaine Bonner Jr., 20, was shot to death Aug. 16 in East St. Louis, just down the street from his father’s home.

“He was not a terrible person. My son was a lovely person,” Bonner Sr. said in a recent interview with the BND. “ Like I said he mostly kept to himself.”

The younger Bonner Jr. was killed and others were wounded in the shooting in the 3800 block of Audubon Avenue, near its intersection with 38th Street. He was pronounced dead at 8:18 p.m. at the scene, according to St. Clair County Coroner Calvin Dye Sr.

Little information has been released about the shooting, including the number of others who were wounded.

Police have not made any arrests. The case, according to Illinois State Police, is still under investigation.

Bonner Sr. said he was at his home when he received the news that his son had been shot.

He said losing his son this way is the worst kind of hurt, especially for a parent.

This was not something the family ever expected to happen to someone with a personality like Bonner Jr.’s.

“He was a little shy,” his father said. “

…He was laid back. He didn’t like to be the attention seeker.”

Bonner Jr. graduated from East St. Louis Senior High School in 2020. He played football for the school during his time there, his father said.

Bonner Jr. had loved football since he was 5 years old.

“We showed him. But, once he started that’s what he liked to do,” his father said.

Bonner’s grandfather is the late David Dee,who was a well known, influential East St. Louis soul singer who passed away earlier this year. His musical career spanned over five decades.

The younger Bonner hung out with his grandpa but didn’t follow his footsteps into the music world.

Bonner Sr. said he will miss everything about his son.

“He’s my son. I will miss his presence,” he said. “He was a person who liked to help others.”

Meanwhile, the family waits for news about what happened and who’s responsible.

Bonner Sr. said he is hopeful that police will capture the person who shot his son. As far as punishment for the shooter, he said, “Whatever the most High’s will is will be done”.

Bonner Jr. had two younger brothers, his father said.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

This story was originally published August 22, 2023 at 10:18 AM.