On the afternoon of December 21, 2025, the Goldsboro, North Carolina community was shaken by the tragic death of Jaleeyah Tune, a 13-year-old Black female known affectionately to her loved ones as "Lee Lee." The fatal incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. in the 200 block of Alpha Court near the Alpha Arms Apartments. Jaleeyah, a seventh-grade student described as having a bubbly spirit and infectious laughter, was walking home with her older sister and a group of friends after getting food when
they were suddenly ambushed. According to reports, gunfire erupted from nearby bushes or woods where a group of individuals had been hiding, striking Jaleeyah as the children passed by.
Jaleeyah’s 14-year-old sister, J’Sheeyah, recounted the terrifying moments, stating that she heard the shots and turned to find her sister wounded. J’Sheeyah held Jaleeyah in her final moments before emergency services arrived. Despite the efforts of first responders, Jaleeyah was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving her family to navigate an unimaginable loss just days before Christmas. Her mother, Whitney Brown-Tune, later expressed the devastation of having Christmas gifts sitting unopened under the tree for a daughter who would never return home.
Law enforcement responded swiftly to the violence, launching a homicide investigation that led to arrests within 24 hours. The Goldsboro Police Department apprehended three teenage suspects in connection with the shooting: two 16-year-old males and one 15-year-old male. Authorities charged all three juveniles with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy. While the identity of the 15-year-old was withheld due to age, court documents identified the two 16-year-old suspects as Gier Smith and Josh Jordan. The three teenagers were transported to a juvenile detention facility in Greenville to await court proceedings.
The investigation indicated that the attack may have been planned, though the motive remained unclear, and Jaleeyah’s sister stated that they did not know the boys who attacked them. The community rallied around the Tune family, holding memorials and launching a fundraiser to assist with funeral expenses. As the legal process began, the suspects were scheduled for court appearances, with the severity of the charges reflecting the brutal nature of the crime that cut short the life of a young girl who had overcome premature birth to become a cherished cheerleader and student.
