An 18-year-old who opened fire on a group of teenagers outside a Bond Hill gas station in 2023 has been ordered to spend 20 to 25.5 years in prison, closing the courtroom chapter of a killing that rocked the neighborhood. The sentence came yesterday for Carlleeyon Anderson, who admitted to the shooting that left 15-year-old Ja'mir Thompkins dead and another teen wounded.
Plea deal and sentence
Anderson pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of involuntary manslaughter and one count of felonious assault, resulting in a 20-to-25.5-year prison term, according to Local 12. Prosecutors had initially indicted him on murder and multiple felonious-assault counts, but the plea deal resolved the case without a trial. The outlet cited court filings and law-enforcement records in its reporting.
How the shooting unfolded
The gunfire broke out on the evening of Sept. 28, 2023, in the parking lot of the Sunoco on Paddock Road when, authorities say, Anderson opened fire on a group of boys walking home from the store. Coverage at the time reported that Thompkins was pronounced dead at the scene and another teenager was rushed to the hospital, as detailed by FOX19. Police later arrested Anderson, and court documents show he initially faced multiple counts tied to the shooting.
Remembering Ja'mir
Friends, teachers, and coaches remembered Thompkins as a three-sport athlete and a focused student who talked about earning a scholarship and getting out on his own terms. His mother told Local 12 he was a straight-A student, and school officials organized a vigil and helped cover funeral expenses. The loss set off an outpouring of grief and support at Dohn Community High School and throughout Bond Hill.
Legal note
Before the plea, Anderson had been transferred to adult court and indicted on charges that included two counts of murder and several felonious-assault counts, according to reporting by the Cincinnati Enquirer via AOL. The involuntary manslaughter plea narrowed his exposure on the murder charges and led to the sentence imposed yesterday. Attorneys on both sides told reporters that plea agreements are often used to secure convictions while sparing families and witnesses the emotional toll of a full trial.
Local context
The Bond Hill case was one of several deadly incidents in 2023 that drew new attention to youth-involved gun violence in Cincinnati and prompted repeated calls for residents to work with investigators. Local coverage at the time highlighted the strain on schools and neighborhoods and urged witnesses to speak up. WLWT reported that police continue to seek tips in similar cases as investigations move forward.
The sentence brings a legal end to this case, at least for now, but family members and classmates say the absence of a 15-year-old who never made it home from the gas station will be felt for years. Earlier reporting urged anyone with information about the original shooting to contact the Cincinnati Police Homicide Unit or Crime Stoppers.
