Posted on 02/23/2026 1:01:49 PM PST by algore
A grief-stricken mother has said she is proud of her 16-year-old son, who was shot and killed by a Florida deputy while he was allegedly armed and shoplifting.
Jairus Jones was gunned down by an off-duty Osceola County officer during a Walmart shoplifting incident on Thursday, Sheriff Chris Blackman said in a press release.
'My son Jairus, who everyone knew and loved as JJ, was a bright beautiful light in this world,' Naporsha Jones Spruill told WESH.
'As his mother, I am beyond proud of the young man he was becoming. He was full of life, full of love, and full of dreams.
'Our hearts are shattered, but we want the world to remember JJ for his smile, his energy, and the love he gave so freely.'
The deputy, working off-duty as Walmart security, was alerted that three people were trying to steal.
Upon confronting the three suspects, he noticed one was armed with a handgun.
Jones allegedly tried to run from the deputy and rushed toward other customers, prompting the officer to open fire, according to the OCSO.
Investigators said the off-duty officer feared for the lives of other shoppers, prompting him to shoot, per FOX35.
Sheriff Blackmon wouldn’t confirm if the suspect aimed at the deputy but said surveillance video had been obtained.
The other two shoplifting suspects - a juvenile and a man in his 20s - have been identified but not publicly named, Channel 9 reported. They were not arrested or charged.
'Wherever we go, we're there to ensure the safety of the public. That's our number one goal - they have to feel safe and be safe,'
'If there's a guy running with a gun, we have to take action... to save their lives,'
Jones' mother still has questions about what happened, per WESH.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Jimmy Walker is a Republican.
“Watermelon” is derived from a term used in the Black community - “Oreo Cookie”.
Is that a mop on his head?
Another one:
He was a goot boy. Loved his mama. Went to church every day.
He was an aspiring rapper. Going off to collige.
If obama had a son....
Does momma know where the young lad obtained the firearm ?
May as well be.
Thanks!
Now productive adults, all is good!
Check
Yes, she’s obviously mixed race.
And there are all sorts of medications used (especially by black women) to lighten skin, most notably hydroquinone — and simply avoiding Sun exposure (note the hat).
Doing what he wasa raised to do.
We’ve really wrecked some people haven’t we?
Should have been on a boat looong ago.
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