On the evening of June 8, 2025, 17-year-old Jayson R. Cooke was shot and killed near the intersection of Percival Road and Quail Run Lane in Columbia, South Carolina. His silver Toyota crashed into a wall after he was struck. Authorities described the incident as a drug deal that turned violent.

Jayson was a rising senior at Richland Northeast High School, remembered for his personality, love of music and fashion, collecting sneakers, and playing Call of Duty. He apprenticed in home repair, worked maintenance at the Jamil Temple, and ran a small lawn care business. Four people fled the scene and were tracked to a nearby mobile home park; they surrendered and were arrested. Those charged with murder were 20-year-old Makenzie Shine, 18-year-old SaRiya Green, 17-year-old Elon Williams, and a 15-year-old whose name was not released. Williams and the 15-year-old also faced weapons charges, and Green was wearing an ankle monitor at the time.

Jayson was the son of Regina Reed and Carrol Jay Cooke Jr. A celebration of his life asked attendees to wear red and black, and the family requested donations to Moms Demand Action in lieu of flowers. If anyone knew Jayson or has information about the shooting, please share what you can.