Jailyn Dumari Morton, a 24-year-old African American male, was tragically shot and killed on February 9, 2020, in Asheville, North Carolina. The incident occurred at the Hillcrest Apartments, a public housing site near the River Arts District. According to reports, Morton was found by police lying face-down inside the living room of an apartment. He was transported via EMS to Mission Hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
The investigation revealed that a fight had
broken out at the apartment shortly before the shooting. Witnesses reported that a fist fight occurred involving Rodnee Rayshaun Bowman, who was 21 years old at the time. Morton was not involved in the initial altercation, but a partner of Morton's attempted to break up the fight. Following the fight, an argument ensued between Morton and Bowman. During the argument, Bowman drew a 9mm pistol and shot Morton in the right side of his chest. Surveillance video captured Bowman fleeing the scene after the shooting.
During the investigation, police discovered a "crystal-like substance" believed to be drugs, as well as pills, a bullet casing, a syringe with clear liquid, and digital scales at the crime scene. Bowman was initially charged with first-degree murder and taken into custody in coordination with the U.S. Marshals Service. Although Bowman was a juvenile at the time of the incident, North Carolina law mandates that certain high-level felony charges, including first-degree murder, be transferred to Superior Court after probable cause is found in juvenile court.
On August 11, 2024, Bowman pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Buncombe County Superior Court. He was sentenced by Judge Alan Thornburg to an active sentence of 144 to 185 months, or 12 to over 15 years, in prison. Morton's mother was present at Bowman's sentencing and spoke about the impact of her son's death. Morton, described as a "fun-loving person who loved spreading joy through his cooking," graduated from Greenwood High School in 2013 and left behind his mother, father, three brothers, and three sisters. The District Attorney expressed hope that the sentence would bring legal closure to Morton's family and wished them peace and healing.
