On what should have been a joyous Christmas morning, the life of 18-year-old Naya Marlane Jackson was tragically cut short. The young, Black/African American woman from Canton, Mississippi, died on December 25, 2021, in what was described as an accidental shooting. The incident unfolded at the Links Apartments on Highway 51 in south Canton, with the Canton Police Department receiving a call about the shooting at 12:01 a.m.
In the wake of the devastating event, a 17-year-old male was
taken into custody. Due to his status as a juvenile, his identity was not publicly released. He was subsequently charged with manslaughter in connection with Naya's death. Authorities indicated that the shooting was not believed to be a premeditated act, but rather a tragic accident. The district attorney was tasked with reviewing the case to determine if the charges against the teen would be upgraded.
Naya was born on August 21, 2003, and had spent time living in the Fannin Community and Atlanta, Georgia, before returning to Mississippi to help her grandmother in Pelahatchie. She was pursuing her education through homeschooling and was remembered for her love of singing, dancing, and spending time with her family. Her untimely death sent ripples of grief through the Canton community, prompting an outpouring of support for her grieving family. The case highlighted the devastating consequences of gun violence, leaving a community to mourn the loss of a young life on a day typically reserved for celebration.
