Gunfire from nearby woods kills 13-year-old Jaleeyah “LeeLee” Tune in Goldsboro, NC; Police say attack was planned

A holiday weekend turns tragic after gunfire from nearby woods takes the life of a seventh grader known for her joy and school spirit

The Goldsboro, North Carolina community found itself shaken after 13-year-old Jaleeyah Tune, known affectionately as “LeeLee,” was shot and killed near the Alpha Arms Apartments on December 21. The shooting happened around 4:30 p.m. She walked with her older sister and friends along the 200 block of Alpha Court on their way home from getting something to eat.

What began as an ordinary Sunday afternoon spiraled into tragedy within moments. According to police, gunfire erupted from nearby woods. Thus, striking Jaleeyah as the group passed through the area. The sound of shots cut through a residential stretch that families travel every day. As a result, turning a routine walk into a fatal ambush that left the neighborhood in disbelief.

Goldsboro Police responded immediately. Thus, finding the seventh grader suffering from a gunshot wound. Wayne County EMS pronounced her dead at the scene. The sudden loss happened in broad daylight and just days before Christmas. So, this rattled families throughout the area who watched investigators line the street with tape as word quickly spread that a child had been killed.

A Seventh Grader Known for Joy, Energy, and School Spirit

Friends and family remember Jaleeyah as a vibrant and joyful presence whose personality filled every room she entered. A seventh grader at Wayne Academy, she was known for her “bubbly” spirit and her commitment to cheerleading. Relatives described her as someone who loved hard, supported others, and carried a sense of enthusiasm that people naturally gravitated toward.

Her death cut deeply into the heart of her family. They had prepared Christmas gifts that now sit unopened beneath their tree. For them, the season shifted from celebration to mourning. The gap left by her absence is something they say cannot be measured. This is especially true for her parents, siblings, and extended family who saw every day with her as a blessing.

Her sister was with her in her final moments. She held her as she took her last breath. Those who spoke with local outlets described the moment as profoundly painful, something no teenager should ever experience. The grief extended far beyond relatives; classmates, teachers, and neighbors connected by her optimism and kindness have struggled to process how such an energetic young life could be taken so suddenly.

Wayne Academy staff recalled her as a cheerful student who represented the best of what the school hoped for its youth. Cheerleaders who practiced beside her said that her energy made difficult days easier. Her death has left both peers and instructors devastated at the loss of a student who embodied positivity and potential.

A Walk Home Interrupted by Gunfire

In the hours after the shooting, investigators worked to determine how a group of children walking home encountered gunfire in what should have been a routine pathway. According to early reports, the shots came from boys positioned in or near the woods beside the apartment complex. The sudden burst of gunfire sent the group running. However, the ambush was so unexpected that they had little time to react before Jaleeyah was struck.

The crime scene spanned a stretch of Alpha Court lined with trees and open patches where visibility is limited. Residents stated that the area is often quiet, which made the eruption of gunfire even more jarring. Police remained on-site through the evening. Therefore, marking evidence and interviewing witnesses as neighbors watched from porches. Thus, stunned that children were targeted in such a manner.

The abruptness of the attack left many questioning whether the shooting was intentional, targeted, or the result of a reckless and catastrophic decision. Community members described the act as senseless. Therefore, noting that no explanation could justify the outcome. The shooting took place feet from homes decorated for the holidays. Thus, underscoring how violence can intrude even in spaces meant to feel safe.

Parents in the area have since expressed concern about their own children walking through the neighborhood. Many are saying they will avoid allowing kids to be outside without supervision. The sense of vulnerability created by the incident has woven itself into everyday routines. Thus, showing how one act of violence reverberates far beyond its immediate aftermath. Now, the whole neighborhood is safeguarding.

Police Arrest Three Teenagers Less Than 24 Hours Later

Goldsboro Police moved quickly in their investigation. Thus, announcing less than 24 hours after the shooting that three teenage boys had been arrested in connection with Jaleeyah’s death. Two of the suspects are 16, and one is 15. All three face charges of first-degree murder and felony conspiracy.

Authorities stated that the teens were taken into custody without incident and were transported to a juvenile detention facility in Greenville. According to officials, the severity of the charges reflects the nature of the shooting and the evidence gathered in the hours following the incident.

The arrests provided some measure of relief to the shaken community. However, many expressed sorrow that both the victim and the suspects were children. Leaders emphasized that the involvement of teenagers on both sides of a homicide underscores a larger problem of youth access to guns. Also, escalating conflicts that turn deadly.

Investigators have not publicly discussed a motive. However, families hope that future court proceedings will shed light on why a group of teenagers opened fire near other children. For now, police have stated only that the case remains an active investigation and that additional details will be released as they are confirmed.

A Neighborhood Builds a Memorial in the Midst of Grief

By the next morning, a makeshift memorial had formed near the Alpha Arms Apartments. There, family and neighbors gathered to leave flowers, stuffed animals, balloons, and handwritten notes. For many, this was the only way to face the devastating reality that a child had died before reaching high school.

The memorial grew throughout the day as classmates stopped by with cheerleading bows, posters, and messages about the light she brought into their lives. Parents who had no direct connection to the family brought small candles and cards. Thus, saying that any parent could understand the depth of such a loss.

Residents described the scene as quiet and reverent. People have been stopping to cry, pray, or simply stand in silence. The grief has drawn the community together. Thus, forcing a conversation about how youth violence has become a threat even in neighborhoods once considered peaceful.

The memorial has become a gathering place for reflection. In addition, it has become a symbol of the community’s refusal to let Jaleeyah’s life be forgotten.

Community Leaders Call for Action Against Youth Violence

In the aftermath, community leaders began organizing efforts to confront the rise in youth violence that has shaken Goldsboro over the past year. City officials and local organizers announced plans for mentorship programs, after-school engagement, and new initiatives aimed at providing support for teenagers facing conflict or instability.

Among these programs are mentorship circles for teenage girls. In addition, there are plans for a Big Brother Big Sister partnership designed to connect vulnerable youth with consistent guidance. Leaders say these strategies are not a quick fix but a necessary start if the city hopes to prevent another tragedy involving children.

Residents have voiced concern that the cycle of violence involving younger and younger teens reflects broader gaps in resources, supervision, and community support. Many hope that Jaleeyah’s death can serve as a turning point in prioritizing intervention programs that address conflict before it escalates into irreversible harm.

For now, organizers say the most important action is showing families that the community stands with them. In addition to showing everyone is committed to making Goldsboro safer for every child who walks its streets.

A Family and City Looking for Strength as the Investigation Continues

In the days since the shooting, Goldsboro has been forced to confront a loss that feels both unimaginable and deeply personal. Jaleeyah Tune was a child preparing for a holiday she will now never see. Now, her family is left navigating grief at a time of year meant for celebration.

Community members have continued gathering at her memorial. Thus, leaving flowers, stuffed animals, and handwritten notes as a sign that her life mattered and her death will not fade quietly into the background of another violent headline. Teachers, classmates, cheer teammates, and family friends have all stopped by. All have been trying to make sense of a tragedy that took a child long before her time.

As police continue their investigation and the suspects await court proceedings, Goldsboro is left searching for a path forward.