Jayden Lee Kline was an 18-year-old recent graduate of Columbia Heights High School remembered by family as bright, joyful and a force of nature who loved the outdoors, animals and synchronized swimming. She was an organ and tissue donor who helped others after her death.

On the afternoon of December 21, 2023, police in Fridley responded to what was first reported as a hit-and-run. Officers found Jayden in the street outside her family’s home with heavy bleeding from her head. A neighbor who was a medical assistant began CPR, but Jayden had suffered a gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at a hospital. Investigation shifted to homicide after surveillance captured a gold van stopping at the end of the driveway; a gunshot was heard and Jayden fell from the passenger side before the van sped away.

Family members identified the vehicle as belonging to Jayden’s 17-year-old ex-boyfriend, Fenan Abdurezak Uso, who was arrested hours later. Investigators say Uso picked Jayden up to go to the Rosedale Center mall, the pair argued, and he drove her back to her home; Uso admitted to shooting Jayden once while they were in his van. If anyone knew Jayden, her routines or saw a gold van in Fridley on December 21, 2023, contact investigators with information.