Jamari Cortez Bonaparte Jackson, a 12-year-old Black male student, was in a hallway at Tanglewood Middle School in Greenville, South Carolina, on March 31, 2022, when his life was cut short. The shooting happened around 12:30 p.m. during a class change in the school's 700 wing. A school resource officer immediately called for emergency backup. Jamari, who had been shot in the chest, was rushed to Prisma Health Greenville Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 1:05 p.m.
The
shooter, identified as Jordan Williams Jr., another 12-year-old student who knew Jamari, fled the school grounds right after the incident. A massive search involving more than 200 law enforcement officers began. About an hour later, deputies found Williams hiding under the deck of a nearby home on Easley Bridge Road. He was taken into custody, and a handgun was recovered.
The tragedy sent shockwaves through the Greenville community. Jamari's family released a statement saying, “We are all devastated by today’s tragedy. We love Jamari dearly, and we would ask that our privacy be respected as we grieve during this very difficult time.” At his funeral service on April 9, family, friends, and teachers gathered to honor his memory. One young friend expressed the profound loss, saying, "It hurts me so much to think that I’ll never be able to talk to him again, and all the things he won’t be here for."
Prosecutors successfully argued for Jordan Williams Jr. to be tried as an adult. He was indicted on charges of murder, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession of a firearm on school property, and unlawful possession of a weapon by a person under the age of 18. Ultimately, Williams pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison, bringing the criminal case to a close.
