Dexter Acheampong's nickname, "Jollof" - a tomato-and-rice dish popular in his parents' West African homeland - reflected his love of food and his appreciation for the good life.
Born in Oklahoma City to parents who emigrated from Ghana, Acheampong, 24, spent much of his teenage years living in Los Angeles, his family said. His time there gave him a mellow attitude that distinguished him from his New York relatives.
"He picked up a lot of that surfer mentality," said a cousin, Eddie Osel, 28, of Queens. "He was a laid-back guy."
After graduating from high school in Michigan, where he lived with an aunt, he moved back to L.A. and briefly attended college. He moved to Medford in 2005 to live with an aunt, uncle and cousins, working for a time at a Hauppauge vitamin manufacturer.
"The first night he was here I could talk to him," said his cousin, Vanessa Smith, 16. "He listened and would give us advice tell us to stay on the right path and stuff."
Acheampong was shot to death May 26 on East Maple Street in Central Islip; his body was found slumped between a parked car and garage door, where he apparently ran for cover. Suffolk police said the man charged in his death, Edwin Ortiz, 19, an alleged MS-13 gang member, is also charged in the slaying of Villalobos. Ortiz told detectives Acheampong was targeted because he was black and therefore a potential Blood.
Born in Oklahoma City to parents who emigrated from Ghana, Acheampong, 24, spent much of his teenage years living in Los Angeles, his family said. His time there gave him a mellow attitude that distinguished him from his New York relatives.
"He picked up a lot of that surfer mentality," said a cousin, Eddie Osel, 28, of Queens. "He was a laid-back guy."
After graduating from high school in Michigan, where he lived with an aunt, he moved back to L.A. and briefly attended college. He moved to Medford in 2005 to live with an aunt, uncle and cousins, working for a time at a Hauppauge vitamin manufacturer.
"The first night he was here I could talk to him," said his cousin, Vanessa Smith, 16. "He listened and would give us advice tell us to stay on the right path and stuff."
Acheampong was shot to death May 26 on East Maple Street in Central Islip; his body was found slumped between a parked car and garage door, where he apparently ran for cover. Suffolk police said the man charged in his death, Edwin Ortiz, 19, an alleged MS-13 gang member, is also charged in the slaying of Villalobos. Ortiz told detectives Acheampong was targeted because he was black and therefore a potential Blood.
Dexter Acheampong's nickname, "Jollof" - a tomato-and-rice dish popular in his parents' West African homeland - reflected his love of food and his appreciation for the good life.
Born in Oklahoma City to parents who emigrated from Ghana, Acheampong, 24, spent much of his teenage years living in Los Angeles, his family said. His time there gave him a mellow attitude that distinguished him from his New York relatives.
"He picked up a lot of that surfer mentality," said a cousin, Eddie Osel, 28, of Queens. "He was a laid-back guy."
After graduating from high school in Michigan, where he lived with an aunt, he moved back to L.A. and briefly attended college. He moved to Medford in 2005 to live with an aunt, uncle and cousins, working for a time at a Hauppauge vitamin manufacturer.
"The first night he was here I could talk to him," said his cousin, Vanessa Smith, 16. "He listened and would give us advice tell us to stay on the right path and stuff."
Acheampong was shot to death May 26 on East Maple Street in Central Islip; his body was found slumped between a parked car and garage door, where he apparently ran for cover. Suffolk police said the man charged in his death, Edwin Ortiz, 19, an alleged MS-13 gang member, is also charged in the slaying of Villalobos. Ortiz told detectives Acheampong was targeted because he was black and therefore a potential Blood.
Born in Oklahoma City to parents who emigrated from Ghana, Acheampong, 24, spent much of his teenage years living in Los Angeles, his family said. His time there gave him a mellow attitude that distinguished him from his New York relatives.
"He picked up a lot of that surfer mentality," said a cousin, Eddie Osel, 28, of Queens. "He was a laid-back guy."
After graduating from high school in Michigan, where he lived with an aunt, he moved back to L.A. and briefly attended college. He moved to Medford in 2005 to live with an aunt, uncle and cousins, working for a time at a Hauppauge vitamin manufacturer.
"The first night he was here I could talk to him," said his cousin, Vanessa Smith, 16. "He listened and would give us advice tell us to stay on the right path and stuff."
Acheampong was shot to death May 26 on East Maple Street in Central Islip; his body was found slumped between a parked car and garage door, where he apparently ran for cover. Suffolk police said the man charged in his death, Edwin Ortiz, 19, an alleged MS-13 gang member, is also charged in the slaying of Villalobos. Ortiz told detectives Acheampong was targeted because he was black and therefore a potential Blood.
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