On the night of Saturday, February 3, 2024, a violent incident unfolded in the 1200 block of Rivermet Avenue in Fort Wayne, Indiana, claiming the life of 19-year-old Black male Jayden Lamont Morris. Just before midnight, at approximately 11:40 p.m., the Fort Wayne Police Department received emergency calls reporting gunshots near the vicinity of Lakeside Park.
Upon their arrival at the scene, officers discovered a chaotic situation at the rear of a residence where three individuals had sustained gunshot wounds. Among the victims was Morris, a promising student-athlete, who was pronounced deceased at the scene by emergency medical personnel.
The Allen County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the identity of the victim and determined the cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds, ruling the manner of death a homicide. Morris was a well-known figure in the local sports community, having graduated from South Side High School where he excelled in both football and basketball. At the time of his death, he was a freshman at the University of Saint Francis, where he continued his athletic career as a member of the football team. His sudden passing sparked an outpouring of grief from his teammates, university officials, and family members, including his parents Natasha Morris and Detonio Hawkins, who remembered him for his infectious personality and dedication to his sport.
In the aftermath of the shooting, two other male victims were transported to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. Despite the immediate police response and the subsequent investigation involving the Fort Wayne Police Department, the Allen County Prosecutor's Office, and the Allen County Coroner's Office, authorities faced challenges in identifying those responsible. Detectives canvassed the neighborhood seeking witnesses and video surveillance footage that might shed light on the events leading up to the tragedy. As of the most recent reports available, no arrests have been made in connection with the case, and law enforcement officials have not publicly named any suspects, leaving the investigation active and ongoing.
