Jyhaad D. Grant, a 25-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on January 1, 2018, in Tampa, Florida. The incident occurred outside a teen club located at 5809 North 50th Street, where a series of fights inside the event prompted organizers to close their doors early. As the crowd of 150 to 200 people was leaving, security guards Keyon Williams, 28, and Connor Harm, 18, both licensed to carry firearms, heard fireworks followed by gunshots.
They saw a weapon being fired from a car and, fearing for their lives, returned fire. Jyhaad D. Grant and 15-year-old Julissa D. Jackson, who were inside the vehicle, were both shot and killed. Two handguns, a 9 mm pistol and a .380 caliber handgun, were found inside the vehicle, suggesting that shots had been fired from within.
The security guards involved in the shooting were employed by A.J. Cardinal Group, doing business as Eagle One Security Force. They claimed that they acted in self-defense, and no charges were pending against them at the time. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office conducted an investigation, but the preliminary evidence supported the security guards' account of the events. The vehicle was impounded for evidence processing, and the investigation continued, with authorities urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
Jyhaad D. Grant's death was a significant loss to his family and community. He left behind a 2-month-old daughter and his girlfriend of eight years. The incident also claimed the life of Julissa D. Jackson, a 15-year-old African American girl who was the mother of a 2-month-old son. Her grandmother, Elease Moore, had pleaded with her not to attend the event. The tragic deaths of Jyhaad D. Grant and Julissa D. Jackson highlighted the dangers of gun violence and the complexities of security measures at public events.
