Jaylen Martinez, a 13-year-old student at Liberty Middle School in Ashland, died on Monday, June 23, 2025, from what Henrico police described as an accidental, self-inflicted shooting. He was a well-known youth basketball player in the area and had been planning to play for Benedictine High School.

Jaylen was the son of former Virginia Commonwealth University player Joey Rodriguez, a member of VCU’s 2011 Final Four team, and was often seen around the VCU program. The shooting has deeply affected the local basketball community and the family. Authorities have characterized the incident as accidental and no arrests have been made; the investigation is ongoing.

If anyone who knew Jaylen or who was around the area that day has information about the circumstances, please come forward.