Jaxson Ryder Clay, a 1-year-old boy from Weldon, North Carolina, tragically lost his life on December 7, 2017, in a drive-by shooting. Jaxson, who was born on December 23, 2015, was the son of Henry Eugene “Jocko” Clay, Jr. and Brittany Nichole Labonte. The incident occurred around 8:15 p.m. on Elm Street when multiple gunshots were fired into the home where Jaxson was present.
Unfortunately, Jaxson was struck in the head and succumbed to his injuries shortly before midnight.
The investigation led to the arrest of 22-year-old Malcolm Lukei Artis, also known by aliases such as "Marco," "Macco," and "Little Keith." Artis was apprehended in Lithia Springs, Georgia, with the assistance of the FBI, North Carolina SBI, the Atlanta Police Department, and the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office. He faced charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and discharging a weapon into an occupied property causing serious bodily injury.
The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, as the Weldon police have not released any information regarding it. However, Jaxson's parents received a text message from an unknown sender, expressing remorse and stating that the individuals involved were under the influence of pills and alcohol at the time of the shooting.
Jaxson's death deeply affected his family and the local community. His mother, Brittany Labonte, described him as a happy, smart, and sweet little boy who did not deserve such a tragic fate. The Weldon Baptist Church, which the family attended, raised funds to help cover the funeral expenses.
The case remains under investigation, and Artis is pending extradition back to North Carolina to face the charges against him.
