A 13-year-old girl, Emony Nicole Jackson, was fatally shot on Christmas Day at a residence on the 2200 block of Okada Court in Orange County, Florida, the Sheriff's Office reported. She was rushed to a hospital but later died. A 15-year-old reportedly told police at the scene that the shooting was accidental and was arrested on a manslaughter charge, according to ClickOrlando.
Officials have yet to release details on how the deadly shooting occurred. The incident is part of a troubling pattern of holiday gun violence in Central Florida. The Orange County Sheriff's Office continues to investigate. "She had goals," her cousin Tramaine Henderson told WESH. "She would never get to go to prom. She would never get to go to college."
Emony's family had faced tragedy before—she lost her mother and younger sister in a 2017 car crash. Despite these hardships, Emony remained hopeful, according to a WFLA statement. Chrissy Boyce, a mentor who had helped Emony pursue her dream of becoming a cheerleader, described the impact of her death: "When I found out, I screamed and cried. It wasn’t very pretty."
The incident has sparked discussion about gun safety and youth access to firearms. "At 15, you should not have a gun," Henderson told WESH. The family called for accountability and responsible gun ownership. The 15-year-old suspect has been charged with manslaughter.
