On September 3, 2023, Ja’Liyah Amora Allen, an 18-month-old girl, was fatally shot in a residence in Palm Coast, Flagler County, Florida. The incident occurred while Ja’Liyah was in the home with eight adults, although her father, Ja’Mari Allen, was not present at the time of the shooting.
According to the 911 call, a man reported that "the gun accidentally went off and it shot the baby," whom he believed was hit in the head. The caller stated that the gun was in the house, on the ground, and identified the person handling the gun as "my home boy."
Ja’Liyah was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to her injuries. The Flagler County Sheriff's Office initiated an investigation and identified a person of interest. Initially, 21-year-old CJ Nelson was arrested for gun possession and violating his probation, but he was not charged in connection with Ja’Liyah's death at that time.
In a subsequent development, CJ Nelson Jr. was arrested and charged with manslaughter in January 2024. Investigators determined that Nelson was handling a multi-caliber assault pistol in a bedroom when it accidentally discharged, and the bullet went through the wall and struck Ja’Liyah in the head. Following the shooting, Nelson's father, CJ Nelson Sr., allegedly tampered with the crime scene by wiping fingerprints off the gun, instructing his son to take a shower, and telling witnesses to provide a false alibi. CJ Nelson Sr. was arrested and charged with two counts of tampering with evidence and providing false information to law enforcement.
The investigation revealed that the crime scene had been altered, and evidence was likely disposed of or cleaned up. The Sheriff's Office noted that the individuals present in the house at the time of the shooting were not being truthful to investigators. The case highlights the complexities and challenges in uncovering the truth surrounding Ja’Liyah's tragic death.
