In the late afternoon of Saturday, March 9, 2019, in Greenwood, Mississippi, 12-year-old Jordan Lloyd was playing in the backyard of a friend's house on North Stone Avenue, a regular activity for the energetic seventh-grader. A single gunshot shattered the ordinary day, leaving Jordan with a catastrophic wound to the head. He was initially rushed to Greenwood Leflore Hospital in a private vehicle, which broke down on the way; police then intervened to get him to the emergency room.
Jordan was later transferred to the University of Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson, where he remained in critical condition until he succumbed to his injury on Monday, March 11, 2019.
The investigation into the shooting quickly led to the arrest of 16-year-old Jacquez Lamond Wilson. Wilson, who was an acquaintance of Jordan and often played with him, was charged with one count of murder. He was arraigned and held without bond at the Leflore County Jail. While police did not publicly disclose a motive for the shooting, they indicated that the investigation was ongoing and that more arrests might be forthcoming. Investigators stated they had no evidence to suggest the shooting was accidental.
Jordan was remembered by his family and friends as a sweet and happy kid with a big smile who loved to play. His mother, Jasmine Vance, said he was going to be missed. In the wake of his death, the community came together to mourn the loss of the young boy. A prayer service was held at The Salvation Army Church, where Jordan was a member and frequent participant in youth programs. A community funeral was later held at the Leflore County Civic Center. Counselors and support staff were made available at Greenwood Middle School, where Jordan was a student, to help his classmates cope with the tragic loss.
