On the evening of February 8, 2024, 17-year-old Centennial High School student Jalen McAdams was shot and killed in the parking lot of Meigs Magnet School on Ramsey Street in East Nashville. Jalen had been in a white Nissan Altima with a 16-year-old friend, Takeo Bills; both were struck when gunfire erupted after two people who had been in a nearby black Honda Accord entered the Altima. Jalen died at the scene; Takeo died after being transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Investigators traced the fleeing Honda to an apartment complex and identified 18-year-old Rico Doss, Jr. as a suspect; he was taken into custody and charged with two counts of criminal homicide. Authorities later identified 17-year-old Ashton Brown as a second suspect, who was also charged. The investigation indicated a drug-related motive and noted Doss was already wanted on an outstanding attempted criminal homicide warrant from an earlier shooting tied to a marijuana transaction.

Jalen’s family described him as loving, protective, and passionate about music. Does anyone who knew Jalen or was in that area that night have information to share?