On July 12, 2023, 18-year-old Theajon Jordan Alexander was fatally shot multiple times in the parking lot of a Smith's grocery store located at 2255 East Centennial Parkway in North Las Vegas. The incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. as Alexander was returning to his vehicle after filling a water jug for his mother. Surveillance footage revealed that a suspect approached Alexander's vehicle, fired multiple shots, and then fled the scene.
Alexander was transported to University Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries later that afternoon.
In the months following the tragedy, Alexander's family grappled with profound grief and the uncertainty of awaiting justice. His mother, Demika Harris, expressed the daily struggle of coping with her son's absence and the hope for the perpetrator's apprehension. She described Alexander as a loving and genuine individual who was not involved in any trouble or gang activities.
The breakthrough in the case came in January 2024, when authorities arrested 18-year-old T Coal McKinley in Los Angeles. North Las Vegas police utilized video surveillance and ballistic evidence to identify McKinley as the suspect. He was subsequently extradited to Nevada and charged with open murder. Harris expressed a mix of relief and continued sorrow upon learning of the arrest, acknowledging that while it provided some closure, the loss of her son remained an enduring pain.
The community's response included a GoFundMe campaign organized by Alexander's sister, Mitheajah Alexander, to support funeral expenses and honor his memory. The campaign highlighted Alexander's role as a devoted son, brother, and friend, emphasizing the sudden and tragic nature of his death. As the legal process unfolds, Alexander's family continues to seek justice and remember the positive impact he had on those around him.
