On October 28, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in Texarkana, Texas, resulting in the death of 22-year-old Jayla Nicole Hampton. The event occurred during a party held in the back room of a business located in the 700 block of N. Stateline Avenue. A physical altercation between two men escalated when at least two individuals brandished rifles and began shooting. In total, six people, aged between 19 and 31, were shot.
Among the victims, 26-year-old Deandre Fezell died at the scene, while Jayla Hampton and 30-year-old Alqadis Williams succumbed to their injuries at the hospital. The remaining three victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at a local hospital.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the Texarkana Texas Police Department identified 20-year-old Breoskii Warren as a suspect. An arrest warrant for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon was issued for Warren, and authorities sought the public's assistance in locating him. On November 1, 2023, Warren surrendered to the police. Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of another individual, 20-year-old Devon Hayden, who was also present at the party and sustained injuries during the incident.
By January 2024, both Warren and Hayden faced formal charges related to the shooting. Warren was indicted on two counts of manslaughter for his involvement in the deaths of Williams and Hampton, while Hayden was charged with first-degree murder concerning Fezell's death. These indictments followed a comprehensive investigation into the events of that night, as authorities worked to piece together the sequence of actions that led to the tragic loss of life.
The community of Texarkana was deeply affected by this incident, mourning the loss of young lives and grappling with the violence that disrupted their sense of safety. Funeral services for Jayla Hampton were held on November 4, 2023, at Lonoke Baptist Church in Texarkana, Arkansas, where family and friends gathered to pay their respects and celebrate her life. The case against Warren and Hayden proceeded through the legal system, with the community closely watching as justice was sought for the victims and their families.
