A night of celebration turned tragic in a Bartlett, Tennessee, parking lot, leaving a family to mourn the loss of 17-year-old Jaylon Cohen. On July 3, 2018, amidst the sounds of the annual Bartlett fireworks show, a dispute escalated into gunfire, ending the young man's life. Cohen was a rising senior at Bolton High School and was described by his family as a smart and fun-loving aspiring musician.
The fatal encounter unfolded shortly after 9:30 p.m. in the parking lot of a Taco Bell on Summer Avenue and Appling Road. Witnesses reported hearing a series of gunshots that were distinct from the celebratory fireworks. Authorities stated that a fight preceded the shooting, which resulted in Cohen being struck by bullets multiple times all over his body. He was rushed to St. Francis Bartlett hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
In the days following the shooting, Bartlett Police arrested 18-year-old Kentrell Spight in connection with the homicide. Spight was charged with first-degree murder and employing a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony. An investigation revealed that prior to the shooting, Spight and two other individuals had allegedly taunted Cohen in an Instagram video, which was seen by Cohen's girlfriend. A witness later identified Spight from a photo lineup. While Spight admitted to being in the vicinity of the Taco Bell at the time of the shooting, he claimed he fled when he heard the gunshots. Police indicated that the investigation was ongoing and that more arrests were possible.
The community was left shaken by the violence that erupted during a time of public celebration. Family and friends gathered for an emotional vigil to remember Jaylon Cohen, releasing balloons and lighting candles in his honor. His older sister questioned the senselessness of the act, stating that her brother had been shot 14 times. The family expressed their profound grief and called for justice for their loved one.
