JaAliyah Lene Hughes

A bright spring day at Boyle Park in Little Rock, Arkansas, turned into a scene of tragedy on March 13, 2021, with the death of JaAliyah Lene Hughes. The 10-year-old Black girl was enjoying a trip to the park with her family when gunfire erupted. JaAliyah was struck by a bullet and rushed to a local hospital, but she succumbed to her injuries.

The senseless act of violence claimed the life of a child known to her loved ones as 'Lee Lee' or 'Princess.' A student at Otter Creek Elementary, her sudden loss sent shockwaves through the community. Her mother later recounted the horrific moments of the shooting, a parent's worst nightmare realized in a public space intended for recreation and joy. The community mourned the loss of a child with a bright future, her life cut tragically short in a place where she should have been safe.

In the days that followed, the Little Rock Police Department launched an investigation into the shooting. Their efforts led to the arrest of two individuals in connection with the fatal shooting. The suspects were taken into custody as the legal process to bring justice for JaAliyah began.

The case concluded when one of the individuals arrested, Ladarius Darnell Burnett, pleaded guilty to a charge of first-degree murder for the fatal shooting of Ja'Aliyah Hughes. With his plea, the case was officially resolved.