Jayden Shamar Jones, a 16-year-old African American male from Clayton, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on December 5, 2022. Jayden was found shot to death in the parking lot of the clubhouse at the Pines at Glen Laurel Apartment Complex on Pine Hall Drive, just off Highway 42. The incident was reported as a shots fired call just after 8:20 p.m. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Jayden suffering from gunshot wounds.
He succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
The investigation revealed that Jayden and two suspects were involved in an altercation before the shooting occurred. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots, with one witness estimating around 12 shots. The suspects, who were seen fleeing the area in a white car, possibly a Mitsubishi Lancer, fired multiple shots at Jayden before escaping. As police responded to the scene, they spotted the suspect vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed along N.C. 42 East. Despite a high-speed chase that reached speeds of over 100 miles per hour, the suspects managed to evade capture.
On December 22, 2022, Clayton detectives, assisted by the Raleigh Police Department, arrested 18-year-old Roberto Munoz of Raleigh in connection with Jayden's death. Munoz was charged with first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and felony fleeing to elude arrest. The case remains under investigation, and additional arrests and charges are anticipated. The police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
Jayden Shamar Jones was a 9th-grade student at Choice Plus Academy. His untimely death has left the community in mourning, and grief support and extra counselors have been made available to support the students and staff affected by this tragic loss.
