In the late morning of September 25, 2021, a promising life was tragically cut short in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Jailen Donyelle Moore Wofford, a 21-year-old Black male, was shot and killed at a gas station located at 3410 Campbell Street. A former star athlete in both basketball and football at Brainerd High School, from which he graduated in 2018, his death sent shockwaves through the community that had watched him grow.
He was a father to two children, Amir Sincere and Kailen Evans.
The incident unfolded around 10:27 a.m. when police responded to a shooting and found Jailen suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was quickly transported by Hamilton County EMS to a local hospital, but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries. The suspect fled the scene before law enforcement arrived, initiating an investigation by the Chattanooga Police Department's Violent Crimes Unit.
Investigators were able to utilize surveillance footage from the gas station, which had captured the entire incident. Through their investigation, they identified 34-year-old Kendel Robinson as the suspected shooter. It was later revealed in court that the two had arranged what appeared to be a drug transaction through Facebook. Robinson had called Jailen immediately following their social media exchange, leading to the fatal encounter at the gas station.
Kendel Robinson was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Jailen's death. In the ensuing legal proceedings, Robinson pleaded guilty to the charge. As a result of his guilty plea, he was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison for his role in the shooting. Throughout the court proceedings, Jailen's mother, LaChara Moore, was a constant presence, steadfastly seeking justice for her son.
