In the quiet community of Kingsport, Tennessee, a senseless act of violence irrevocably shattered the lives of many. On the evening of February 11, 2026, 15-year-old Malek Jones, a sophomore at a Kingsport City Schools high school, was shot and critically injured in an apartment complex on Robertson Street. The incident, which police described as isolated, unfolded near a basketball court where a juvenile suspect allegedly approached Malek, addressed him with profanity, and then shot him in the
head with a handgun. Malek succumbed to his injuries and passed away on Friday, February 14, 2026.
Friends and family described Malek as a bright light, known for his infectious smile and kind heart. He was remembered as a protective "big brother" figure to many, wise beyond his years, and a talented athlete who played football and basketball. In the wake of his death, the community rallied together, holding a candlelight vigil and balloon release at Borden Park to honor his memory. Hundreds of students, faculty, and family members gathered to share stories and release Valentine's Day and black balloons into the night sky. A GoFundMe campaign was also established to help his family with the financial burden of transporting his body back to his native Florida for burial.
The investigation into Malek's death quickly led to the identification of a juvenile suspect, Cashlynn Lytle. Initially charged with attempted first-degree murder, the charges against Lytle were upgraded to first-degree murder following Malek's death. Lytle, described as a light-skinned Black male, was considered armed and dangerous and remained at large for a period before being arrested without incident on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
An adult was also implicated in the crime. Twenty-five-year-old Haley Locke was charged with being an accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. She was alleged to have driven the getaway car for the shooting suspect. While the juvenile alleged to have committed the murder was taken into custody, Locke was still being sought by police as of mid-February. The tragic and untimely death of Malek Jones left his family, friends, and the entire Kingsport community devastated, grieving the loss of a young life full of promise.
