Vigil Held as Family Seeks Justice in the Fatal Beating of Orlando Man, Witnesses Urged to Come Forward

ORLANDO, Fla. – On Saturday, a candlelight vigil in Parramore became a gathering of mourning and determination as the family of 62-year-old B.J. Jackson sought justice for his tragic death following a brutal assault that left him fighting for his life for almost a month.

Kayla Boyd, Jackson’s niece, expressed the family’s deep sorrow and their demand for accountability.

“We want whoever is responsible to be caught because they pose a threat to everyone in the community,” Boyd stated.

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As the evening unfolded, family and friends gathered to pray, sing, and light candles on West Anderson Street, the very place where Orlando police discovered Jackson severely beaten the day after Christmas.

Sadly, Jackson passed away this week, nearly a month after the horrific incident.

“If you can attack an elderly man to the point that he loses his life, you deserve to be locked up,” she said.

The family says the attack left Jackson with multiple broken bones, a lost eye, and other severe injuries. He remained on life support until just days before his death.

[PREVIOUS COVERAGE: $5K reward offered for info on man badly beaten in Orlando day after Christmas]

Loved ones describe Jackson as a kind and selfless man whose loss is deeply felt throughout the community.

“He was so loving, just a loving person, and would do anything for you,” said Cynthia Williams, Jackson’s sister-in-law. “I’m going to miss just seeing him.”

Orlando police are offering up to a $5,000 reward for information in the case.

Jackson’s sister, Lynn Jackson and have gone door to door in nearby neighborhoods to raise awareness and ask for help. “I just want justice to be served,” Lynn Jackson said.

BJ’s niece Mishee Jackson added, “We know somebody knows something. We know somebody saw something. We know.”

The family created a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses that can be found here.

They say funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date. We reached out to Orlando police Friday and Saturday for updates on the investigation and are still waiting to hear back.