On the morning of November 30, 2025, a violent incident claimed the life of Jada Kiara Sanderson, a 23-year-old female resident of Pembroke, North Carolina. Authorities from the Robeson County Sheriff's Office responded to a disturbance call along the 6000 block of North Chicken Road near Pembroke, where they discovered Sanderson suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene, leaving her devastating family and the local community in shock.
The initial investigation revealed that Sanderson was unarmed at the time of the shooting, carrying only her cell phone and a pair of eyeglasses.
Following the tragic event, investigators quickly identified a person of interest in connection with the homicide. Despite this development, law enforcement officials did not immediately file charges or make an arrest, leading to significant frustration for the victim's grieving relatives. Sisters of the victim publicly expressed their anguish, questioning why the identified individual had not yet been taken into custody given the witness statements and evidence collected by deputies. The Sheriff's Office stated that the investigation remained active and ongoing, with follow-up interviews being conducted before a final review with the District Attorney's Office.
Born in Laurinburg, Sanderson was known for her kind-hearted nature and her aspirations of becoming an esthetician. She lived in Pembroke with her mother and siblings and was remembered for her love of music and her involvement in church drama activities. Family and friends gathered to celebrate her life at a funeral service held at the Richard Boles Funeral Service Chapel in early December, followed by her burial at the Oxendine Cemetery. As the investigation continued into the winter, her loved ones remained vocal in their pursuit of accountability, urging officials to bring justice for the senseless loss of the young woman's life.
