Young father dies after shots fired outside high school grad party, AL cops say
A juvenile was arrested and charged in connection with a shooting that killed a 19-year-old and injured an 18-year-old, Alabama deputies said, according to reports.aut
Deputies responded to shots fired at about 2 a.m. May 11, outside of a graduation party for a student at Citronelle High School, the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office said, WKRG reported.
The shooting happened during an argument in a cul-de-sac where a group of people had moved to after the party ended, authorities said, according to the outlet.
Jaylon Rivers, 19, and Zachary Morgan, 18, were shot, deputies said.
“During the altercation, Rivers allegedly fired multiple shots at the juvenile, who then returned fire, striking Rivers,” the sheriff’s office said, AL.com reported.
Morgan was taken to a hospital, and Rivers was taken to a home in Mount Vernon, where he died, deputies said, WALA reported.
The juvenile, who was not named, was arrested May 16 on felony murder and first-degree robbery charges, according to the outlet.
McClatchy News reached out to the Mobile County Public School District May 19 but did not receive an immediate response.
Law enforcement officials were at the high school May 12 “out of an abundance of caution,” according to a Facebook post by the school.
Rivers, a father of a girl, was remembered as having a “caring nature” and a “dedication to looking out for others,” according to an online memorial.
“Jaylon’s spirit will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of those he leaves behind, reminding us all of the joy and love he brought into our lives,” the memorial said.
This story was originally published May 19, 2025 at 5:10 PM with the headline "Young father dies after shots fired outside high school grad party, AL cops say."
