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Saunteel Jenkins' family wants answers in her brother's 1991 murder

14-year-old Jovan Willis was shot to death Jan. 3, 1991 on Detroit's west side

DETROIT – Though 24 years have passed since the murder of 14-year-old Jovan Willis, his family members hope the crime can be solved.

Jovan had two sisters including former Detroit City Council president Saunteel Jenkins.

"If I saw him three separate times in the day I'd get three separate hugs," said Jenkins.

On Jan. 3, 1991 someone in a small black sedan shot Jovan near his home at Orangelawn Street and Granville Avenue. He had refused to hand over his Duke University jacket. He bought it with money he had earned at a restaurant.

"He was lying on the sidewalk and somebody put a blanket over him. I went up and held his hand, and I knew then he was gone," said his father, Louis Willis, in 1991.

Louis talked with Local 4 after the murder happened and again on Thursday. With every new crime in Detroit, he is reminded of his own loss.

"It hurts all over again. I'll be hurting for that family as well as ours. There's nothing like losing a kid," he said.

His family still has Javon's toys and clothing, including another favorite jacket.

"The pain doesn't go away. I always feel like there's a hole in my heart. Something missing," said Jo Willis, Javon's mother.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $4,000 dollar reward to anyone who can help catch this killer. All tips will be handled anonymously (800-SPEAK-UP).

Javon had dreamed of attending Duke University.