Akron, Ohio – A 26-year-old Ohio man has been sentenced to life in prison for fatally shooting a woman outside a Dollar Tree store in Akron, a killing prosecutors described as a tragic act of “misplaced vengeance.” The victim, Ernestine Stallings, was loading birthday balloons into her car when she was shot multiple times in front of her fiancée, who narrowly escaped being hit.
The July 3, 2023, shooting stunned the local community and drew renewed attention to gun violence driven by personal revenge and mistaken identity. Court records confirm the shooter, Jontae Watkins, will be eligible for parole only after serving 33 years of his life sentence.
What happened outside the Dollar Tree
On the afternoon of the shooting, Stallings had just finished shopping for birthday balloons and was standing beside her car in the Dollar Tree parking lot. Her fiancée, Tasha Love, was helping her load the balloons when Watkins allegedly drove into the parking lot and waited.
Prosecutors said Watkins remained in his vehicle until Stallings exited the store. He then approached from behind and opened fire using an AR-15-style rifle, striking Stallings six times in the back and torso.
A 911 caller described the horrifying scene, telling dispatchers that the gunman “literally came up behind her and shot her like for no reason.”
Fiancée recalls moments of terror
Love later described how close she came to being killed herself.
“I could feel the heat from the bullets coming past my leg,” she said, recalling the chaos and panic in the parking lot.
She explained that Watkins never saw Stallings’ face before shooting.
“All he seen was the back of her head — she had braids, a baseball cap, and glasses,” Love said. “It could have been anybody.”
Prosecutors say killing was based on mistaken identity
During court proceedings, prosecutors revealed that Watkins believed Stallings was connected to an earlier shooting that left his girlfriend dead.
In June 2022, Watkins and his girlfriend, Atavia Robinson, were both shot outside a movie theater. Robinson was killed, and the case remains unsolved. Investigators said Watkins became convinced that Stallings was involved, despite having no evidence to support that belief.
Watkins later confessed to the shooting and admitted he targeted the wrong person.
Charges and plea details
Watkins pleaded no contest in October 2024 to aggravated murder, avoiding a trial but allowing the court to proceed with sentencing based on the evidence presented.
Following the plea, Love said Watkins showed no remorse.
“He’s still not taking any accountability,” she said. “He did it in cold blood. He’s a cold-blooded killer.”
Life sentence handed down
Online court records show that Watkins was formally sentenced to life in prison, with parole eligibility after 33 years, a term allowed under Ohio law for aggravated murder cases involving firearms.
Summit County Prosecutor Elliot Kolkovich addressed the case in a statement following sentencing.
“This reckless act of misplaced vengeance took the life of an innocent woman,” Kolkovich said. “Violence in response to pain only creates more loss for our community. Our thoughts are with Ernestine Stallings’ loved ones as they grieve this senseless tragedy.”
Community impact and broader concerns
The killing reignited concerns in Akron and across Ohio about gun violence driven by unresolved trauma and retaliation. Law enforcement officials emphasized that acting on assumptions or personal suspicions can lead to irreversible consequences for innocent people.
Community advocates have since called for greater access to trauma counseling, conflict intervention programs, and stronger measures to prevent retaliatory violence.
Remembering Ernestine Stallings
Loved ones described Stallings as a caring partner whose life was cut short while doing something ordinary and joyful—preparing for a birthday celebration. Her death left a lasting emotional impact on her family, friends, and the fiancée who witnessed her final moments.
Conclusion
The sentencing of Jontae Watkins brings legal closure but not healing for those left behind. Prosecutors and family members alike stressed that no prison term can undo the loss caused by a split-second decision fueled by anger and grief.
As the community continues to mourn Ernestine Stallings, the case stands as a stark reminder of how violence rooted in revenge can devastate innocent lives.
If you have thoughts on how communities can better prevent retaliatory violence, share your experiences in the comments below.
