On January 29, 2023, at approximately 2:00 p.m., Ahoskie Police Department officers responded to a call for assistance behind the Dollar Tree store on Memorial Drive in Ahoskie, North Carolina. Upon arrival, they discovered 35-year-old Shelby Rakim Jones, a resident of Whaleyville, Virginia, deceased in his vehicle with a handgun in his hand.
The investigation, led by Ahoskie Police Chief Jimmy Asbell, concluded that Jones died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the chest, and the
manner of death was determined to be suicide. Evidence collected at the scene, including the handgun, supported this conclusion. Chief Asbell expressed condolences to the Jones family during this difficult time.
Born on December 3, 1987, Shelby Radkim Jones was a long-time resident of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and attended public schools there. He earned an Associate degree in Criminal Justice. Jones is survived by his wife, Jasmine Jones; his children, Shelbie and Simone Jones; his mother, Kimberly R. Jones; his brother, Sydney Jones; his grandmother, Mozell Jones; and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Melvin Jones; his aunt, Fawn Brook; and his son, Shiloh Jones.
A funeral service was held to honor his memory, providing an opportunity for family and friends to pay their respects and celebrate his life.
The tragic loss of Shelby Jones has deeply affected his family and the communities of Whaleyville and Virginia Beach. His passing serves as a somber reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and the need for accessible support systems for individuals facing personal struggles.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 for confidential support.
