GREENVILLE, Texas — A vigil was held Wednesday for a 14-year-old Greenville High School student who was shot and killed the day before Thanksgiving.
Jaylen Supreme Moore, a freshman from Quinlan, died after, police say, another juvenile male was "playing with a gun."
"On November 22, 2023, at approximately 9:44 p.m., officers of the Greenville Police Department responded to the area of Webb Avenue and Trinity Street for a report of a gunshot," read a press release from Greenville PD.
There is a small and growing memorial at Warren Park in Greenville where it happened. People brought flowers, crosses, balloons and cards with name "Jaymo" written all over them.
"He was in my mind and my heart. He was my soul," said Jaylen's father Fred Moore.
Jaylen was described as a sweet kid, an athlete, a goofball, with a great smile. His sister Adara Haten remembers the last words they shared over the phone were "I love you." Haten said Jaylen had called her likely just minutes before he was shot.
"I carry a lot of regret, and I wish I was there to pick him up. I just wish it never happened," she said.
The family is struggling with the profound loss of their loved one. They are also struggling for answers to what happened and why it happened. The family told WFAA they do not believe the other juvenile was simply "playing with a gun" and shot Jaylen. They say their loved one was taunted and targeted.
"That is not an accident to me... that is not an accident. You don't point a gun at somebody's face and tell me it's an accident," said Haten.
The family told WFAA that Jaylen was shot once and in the face. To make matters worse, in text messages given to WFAA, the family says someone was using Jaylen's phone to communicate with them after the shooting. When a family member texted "U get shot?", the immediate text response was, "Nah, I'm chillin."
"They used my son's phone to play like he was still alive while he was on the ground dead!" said Moore.
Greenville Police have taken in one juvenile who now faces manslaughter and tampering with evidence charges. WFAA said no other information is available in the investigation beyond what was released in the beginning.
"Our mom talked to us about gun safety all the time. We don't play with guns. Guns are not toys," said Haten.
Jaylen was a star basketball player for his Greenville High team. The family says his jersey will be laid on a chair on the team's bench for the season. The team had a special remembrance on Tuesday.
This family wants justice and they also want the truth.
"He was our joy!" said Moore.
The family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with funeral costs. If you would like to donate, click here.
Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to contact Detective Potts with Greenville Police at 903-453-0428.