In the early morning hours of April 22, 2022, the life of 15-year-old Christopher Lewis Jr. was tragically cut short on the streets of Jackson, Mississippi. A Black male and a student at Cardozo Middle School, Christopher was at the intersection of Woody Drive and Woodburn Street when he sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the face at approximately 4:00 a.m.
The Hinds County Coroner later confirmed this as the cause of his death.
The Jackson Police Department responded to the incident and swiftly took two other teenagers into custody. Following an investigation, one of the teens, 15-year-old Jaebrion Smith, was charged with second-degree murder in connection with Christopher's death. The other teenager who was taken into custody was subsequently released to his guardians. Authorities have not publicly disclosed a motive for the shooting.
The loss of Christopher deeply impacted the community, particularly his fellow students and the faculty at Cardozo Middle School. In the wake of the tragedy, the Jackson Public School District offered their condolences and provided counseling services to support students and staff. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Christopher's death continues as the legal proceedings against Jaebrion Smith move forward.
