In the fading light of a December evening in Jackson, Alabama, the life of a promising young man, Daniel Lamar Merit, was tragically cut short. A 20-year-old Black male, Merit was known for his infectious smile and his athletic prowess, having been a multi-sport athlete at Northview High School in Century, Florida, from which he had graduated in 2019.
He was a resident of Century but was in Jackson with his college roommate at the time of his death on December 4, 2020.
The events that led to Merit's untimely passing unfolded in a vehicle parked near a McDonald's. He was with his roommate, 20-year-old Gordon Kolby Marks. According to authorities, the two were engaged in what was described as 'gun play' when a firearm discharged, striking and fatally wounding Merit. Investigators later indicated that alcohol was a factor in the incident. Those who knew Merit were left stunned, remembering him as a peacemaker who did not involve himself with guns.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Gordon Kolby Marks was taken into custody by the Jackson Police Department. He was subsequently charged with manslaughter and possession of a weapon without a permit. Following his arrest, Marks was booked into the Clarke County Jail and was later released after posting a $20,000 bond. The community, meanwhile, was left to grapple with the sudden and senseless loss of a young man who was remembered as a beacon of light to his family and friends.
