Jaylen Jay Jay Smith, 16, was shot and killed on the afternoon of March 13, 2020, while walking with another person on Hillview Road in the Whitehaven neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee. A man in a car opened fire; Smith was taken to Methodist Hospital and died of his injuries. The surviving companion recorded video of the assailant, a recording that investigators used to identify Justin Nichols as the primary suspect.

Justin Nichols was taken into custody by the Memphis Police Department and was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Smith’s death. The incident underscored the toll of gun violence on the city’s youth and shook the Whitehaven community.

If anyone who knew Jaylen, his movements that afternoon, or has information about the shooting can help, please come forward to investigators.