In the late hours of a November night in Jackson, Mississippi, the life of 12-year-old Markell DeShun Noah, a Black male, was tragically cut short. On November 25, 2022, what began as a night spent with other youths ended in a fatal shooting. Markell was found deceased in an abandoned home on Audubon Place, only hours after his family had reported him missing.
Initial reports suggested that the young boy had died while participating in a game of Russian Roulette with two other juveniles, aged 14 and 17. However, later court proceedings revealed a different and equally grim narrative. It was alleged that a struggle over a gun ensued, and during the altercation, one of the teenagers pointed the weapon at Markell and fired, leading to his death.
In the immediate aftermath, there was no call for help. Instead, those present allegedly attempted to conceal the crime. The scene was reportedly cleaned, and Markell’s body was moved from the house and left over a fence several houses away. The blood-stained carpet was supposedly removed and discarded in a dumpster. It was only after his parents reported him missing that police began a search and uncovered the tragic events.
The investigation led to the arrest of three individuals. Two teenagers, 17-year-old Eshawn Green and 14-year-old Cayden Naylor, were charged with murder. A 21-year-old woman, Kaylan Owens, who was reportedly Green's girlfriend and living with him in the abandoned home, was charged with accessory after the fact to murder. Authorities alleged that Owens assisted in the attempt to clean up the crime scene.
A Hinds County grand jury later indicted Green and Naylor on charges of murder and tampering with evidence for their alleged roles in shooting Markell and then attempting to destroy and conceal evidence. Owens was also indicted on the charge of accessory after the fact for her alleged efforts to help Green and Naylor evade capture. Following the arrests, a judge set the bond for the 14-year-old at $1 million and the 17-year-old's bond at $2 million, while Owens was denied bond.
