GOLDSBORO, N.C. — A community is grappling with unthinkable loss following the tragic shooting death of 13-year-old Jaleeyah Tune just days before Christmas. Her family is understandably shattered, grappling with grief as they prepare to bury a vibrant young girl who brightened their lives.
Whitney Brown-Tune, Jaleeyah’s mother, never imagined she would be making funeral arrangements while contemplating the holidays. The poignant image of unopened presents beneath the Christmas tree symbolizes the joy that is now tinged with sorrow. “I’m heartbroken and devastated,” Brown-Tune expressed, recalling the fear and isolation her daughter experienced in her final moments.
Authorities have arrested three teenage boys, ages 15 and 16, connected to the shooting that occurred shortly after 4:30 p.m. on a Sunday. Family members say Jaleeyah was taking a walk with her older sister, J’Sheeyah, and friends when a group of boys emerged unexpectedly from nearby bushes, opening fire.
J’Sheeyah, just 14, vividly remembers the chaos. As she turned to search for her sister, she was met with the horrifying sight of Jaleeyah on the ground, wounded. “She looked terrified,” she recalled. “There was blood all over my hands, but I didn’t want to wipe it away because I still felt her presence.”
Jaleeyah’s family described the seventh grader as a cheerful and sociable individual, someone who was always eager to lend a helping hand. The loss has left J’Sheeyah devastated, emphasizing, “She didn’t deserve this at all. Now, I have to live on without my sister. It’s so cruel.”
Meanwhile, local law enforcement has charged the three suspects with first-degree murder and felony conspiracy. While the investigation continues, police have not disclosed any motives behind the shooting, leaving the community on edge.
As friends and family mourn, they are left to wonder how such a tragedy could unfold in their neighborhood. The thoughts of others in Goldsboro echo their pain as residents grapple with the occurrence of such violence. Community leaders are urging for dialogue and support as they seek ways to heal from this shocking crime.
The days leading up to Christmas typically evoke warmth and joy, yet for the families touched by this incident, the season will now serve as a reminder of a life cut short and the urgent need for change to protect their children.