Kishawnna Buckley, an 18-year-old Black female from Mississippi, was a senior at Mendenhall High School with plans to graduate in the spring of 2020. On November 19, 2019, she was seated in the driver's seat of a vehicle located in the 6500 block of Lake Forest Drive in Jackson. The car was occupied by three other individuals at the time of the incident, which took place during the evening hours.
While the group was inside the vehicle, a firearm was being handled by a passenger in the rear seat identified as 19-year-old Keyshun Jefferson. Investigators determined that Jefferson was manipulating the weapon when it suddenly discharged. The bullet traveled through the seat and struck Buckley in the back. Emergency services responded to the scene, and she was transported to a local hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries.
The Jackson Police Department launched an investigation into the shooting, initially detaining all occupants of the car for questioning to ascertain the sequence of events. Following the interviews and examination of the evidence, detectives concluded that the shooting appeared to be accidental but resulted from negligence. Authorities subsequently arrested Keyshun Jefferson and charged him with manslaughter in connection with Buckley's death. The Mendenhall community and school district publicly mourned the loss of the student, who was remembered for her compassion and school spirit.
