A Texas family is mourning the loss of an 11-year-old boy, allegedly killed by his mother's ex-boyfriend. Jocelyn Green and her son, Jeremiah, were sleeping in a bedroom at her parents' North Dallas home on Saturday when Jakeith Huntley reportedly shot at the mother and son through a window. Green was injured but expected to survive after surgery.
Police were called to the home around 2:15 a.m. Saturday in response to reports of a shooting, according to NBC 5. When officers arrived, family members told police Huntley allegedly shot numerous rounds into the home after Green refused to speak to him.
Jeremiah was beloved by family and friends, who are grasping to understand how such a tragedy could have occurred.
Huntley was angry at Green the night of the shooting.
According to an arrest affidavit, Green told police that she and her son normally slept in a front bedroom at her parents' home, per the Dallas Morning News. Huntley reportedly came to that window and banged on it, demanding she come outside. He became angry when she refused and allegedly began firing the gun.
According to police, Jeremiah Green received a fatal shot to the head. Green told police Huntley allegedly left in his mother's red Dodge Charger. Police spotted him on the street where he lived in Glenn Heights and took him into custody.
The alleged shooter has a lengthy criminal past and assault arrests.
Multiple sources reported that Huntley has been arrested for assault several times. Huntley served time in prison from 2010 to 2014 for aggravated assault, per Fox 4. Additionally, he was arrested in 2016 on a family violence charge in Denton County that was later dismissed. Records also show an aggravated assault charge from Denton County in 2021.
Jeremiah was a bright light.
Jeremiah's uncle, Cameron Hardeman, was in the home the night of the alleged shooting and spoke highly of the boy. "He was an honor roll student, very smart," he told NBC 5. "Really good at soccer. He liked karate, he was saying that he wanted to play football when he got older."
Hardeman said Jeremiah had big dreams and couldn't wait to grow up. "I'm pretty sure he would have followed every single one of them too. It's a tragedy he was taken from us, way too soon," he said.
Aaron Scott, Jeremiah's grandfather, was also home when Huntley reportedly shot his grandson. He told NBC 5 that he was heartbroken.
"The chaos, people screaming, I was in shock, I didn't know what to do, I mean it was pretty wild," Scott said. "I went today (to the house), it was hard, it was like flashbacks, it was rough."
Jeremiah's family and friends are trying to shower his mother with love.
A GoFundMe account has been organized for the family to help with expenses. Chandler Ortiz organized the fundraiser, which has already met its goal.
"We live in an unpredictable world and there are awful situations we cannot control. A lot of people are wondering what happened to Jeremiah. Jeremiah was asleep in his bed when he was shot and killed early this morning," the page description reads. "His mother was also shot in the hand and is undergoing surgery. We need prayers and if you feel it in your heart to donate, we need help with funeral and memorial expenses for this unexpected unimaginable situation. Jeremiah was Jocelyn's only child, and she is a single mother."
People sympathize with the family.
"I'm so sorry for your loss. May the love and support of those around you bring you some comfort and peace during this tragic time," one donor commented. "A beautiful and innocent child taken too soon. My heart aches for this child who was exposed to such a violent person when the most vulnerable of all should've been protected by those who loved him. May he rest in peace."
Gun violence takes the lives of children at a staggering pace.
In 2019, a child or teen in the United States was killed by a gun every 2 hours and 36 minutes, according to the Children's Defense Fund. That breaks down to nine youths killed each day. For every child or teen killed, another suffered a nonfatal gunshot wound, the organization notes. Approximately 16,644 children and teens were injured with guns in 2018: one every 32 minutes.
Huntley was arrested and charged with capital murder and faces an additional count of aggravated assault, the Dallas Morning News reported. He is being held on a $1.25 million bond. It was unclear if he had retained an attorney.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women's shelter (domesticshelters.org).
