JerrMarius Sills
JerrMarius Deonta Sills, known as Li Heat (born September 27, 2001; died July 7, 2023 in Birmingham) was a rapper and homicide victim.
Sills was the son of LaMarcus and Dwan Sills. He began posting rap videos to YouTube in October 2019 and scored a viral hit with "007" in May 2020, a video that has since amassed more than 6 million views. He released several more singles and mix tapes on the Geffen Records affiliate Cinematic Music Group. His full-length debut mix tape "Heatin' Up" featured his cousin Alfred "41st AJ" Jenkins as well as Birmingham rappers Big Yavo, and Lil Bam.
Sills was wounded in a July 27, 2022 assault on the 1300 block of 34th Street in Ensley Highlands that caused the death of his friend, Maleyk Bryant. On August 13 his cousin, Jenkins, was ambushed and shot to death at the Shell gas station at 4012 Messer Airport Highway in North Avondale.
Nearly a year later, on May 27, 2023, Sills was apparently targeted in a fatal ambush while he was walking on the 1500 block of Avenue L in Ensley. He was taken to UAB Hospital in critical condition and died there from his injuries on July 7.
A remembrance of his life was observed at George Ward Park on July 13. There have been no arrests made in any of those shootings.
References
- Robinson, Carol (August 15, 2022) "Teen gunned down in ambush at Birmingham gas station now identified." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (February 9, 2023) "Witnesses, clues sought in July death of Birmingham man killed in hail of gunfire." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (May 27, 2023) "Man shot multiple times in Birmingham’s Ensley community in targeted attack." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (July 10, 2023) "Birmingham rapper Li Heat dies 6 weeks after ambush shooting in Ensley." AL.com
- Robinson, Carol (July 13, 2023) "‘He will live on’: Family, friends hold vigil in memory of slain Birmingham rapper Li Heat." AL.com