Deandre Moon

Deandre Moon, an 18-year-old Black man from Jackson, Mississippi, was known by friends and family as a funny and respectful young man who loved basketball. His life was filled with friends and family, and photos showed him enjoying their company on porch steps and by cars. He had attended several schools, including Canton High School and the Mississippi Job Corps Center. Loved ones, including his older sister, Shaneria Moon, remembered him fondly on memorial pages, sharing messages of love and heartbreak. "My life a never be the same without you," one tribute read.

The holiday season was just days away when Deandre’s life was cut short in the pre-dawn hours of Sunday, December 16, 2018. Just before 5 a.m., he and an 18-year-old friend were walking along the 500 block of Wellington Road in northeast Jackson. Their walk was violently interrupted when two armed men in a gray truck confronted and robbed them. During the robbery, one of the assailants shot Deandre. His friend was left physically unharmed. Deandre was rushed to a local hospital, but he tragically died from his injuries.

The Jackson Police Department began an investigation into what was one of two homicides in the city that morning, which marked the 81st and 82nd of the year for Jackson. JPD Sgt. Roderick Holmes confirmed that officers responded to the scene on Wellington Road and learned that two young men had been robbed, resulting in Deandre being shot. The suspects were described only as two armed men traveling in a gray truck.

In the immediate aftermath, police stated that a motive had not been determined beyond the robbery. Jackson City Councilman Kenneth Stokes commented on the violence that weekend, calling the deaths "senseless killings" and questioning why anyone would want to harm young people in the prime of their lives. The investigation into Deandre's murder was launched, but details about the suspects remained scarce.

Years have passed, and the case of Deandre Moon’s murder remains unsolved. There have been no public updates regarding arrests, charges, or the identification of any persons of interest. The description of the suspects remains limited to two armed men who fled in a gray truck. The lack of resolution has left a void for a family and community still mourning the loss of a young life taken too soon.

Deandre's death left a profound impact on those who knew him. Hundreds of virtual candles have been lit on an online memorial page, where friends and family continue to share memories and messages of love. "I miss you brother," one wrote. Another message from his "Jobcorps family" said, "we miss you sooo bad... but god needed you more." These tributes paint a picture of a beloved young man whose absence is deeply felt.

The investigation into the homicide of Deandre Moon is ongoing. Authorities urge anyone with information about the incident to come forward. The Jackson Police Department has asked the public to contact Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS (8477) with any details that might help bring justice to Deandre and his grieving family.