In the early evening of June 8, 2025, a burst of gunfire shattered the quiet near the intersection of Percival Road and Quail Run Lane in Columbia, South Carolina. When the echoes faded, 17-year-old Jayson R. Cooke was dead from a gunshot wound, his silver Toyota having crashed into a wall after he was shot. The tragic event, which authorities later described as a drug deal that had taken a violent turn, claimed the life of a young man with a bright future.
Jayson was a rising senior at Richland Northeast High School, known for his big personality and an infectious smile that could light up any room. He was a young man of many passions, from music and fashion to a dedicated interest in collecting sneakers and playing 'Call of Duty.' He harbored ambitious dreams of becoming a real estate entrepreneur and had already demonstrated a strong work ethic by apprenticing in home repair, working maintenance at the Jamil Temple, and even starting his own small lawn care business.
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, four individuals were seen fleeing the scene. The Richland County Sheriff's Department, aided by K-9 units, tracked them to a nearby mobile home park. There, the four suspects surrendered to law enforcement. The individuals arrested and charged with murder were 20-year-old Makenzie Shine, 18-year-old Sa'Riya Green, 17-year-old Elon Williams, and a 15-year-old whose name was not publicly released. In addition to the murder charges, Williams and the 15-year-old also faced charges for weapons possession. It was later revealed that Sa'Riya Green was wearing an ankle monitor at the time of the incident, having been previously charged with tampering with the device.
Jayson's sudden and violent death left his family, friends, and community reeling with grief. He was remembered as a beloved son to Regina Reed and Carrol “Jay” Cooke Jr. and a participant in the Big Homie Lil Homie Mentoring Program, where he was able to connect with and guide others. A celebration of his life was held, where attendees were asked to wear red and black in his honor. The loss of Jayson was not only a personal tragedy for his loved ones but also a stark reminder of the impact of gun violence on the community, as he was the second student from his high school to be killed in such a manner within a year and a half. His family, in their time of sorrow, requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Moms Demand Action, a cause they held close to their hearts.
