Jy’Kavien Wright was supposed to be enjoying the best summer of his life. He had just walked across the stage at Talladega High School two weeks earlier, diploma in hand, with a plan to attend Gadsden State Community College in the fall and try out for their basketball team.
Instead, the Talladega, Alabama community woke up Sunday morning to news that the 18-year-old had been found dead on a sidewalk in the 600 block of McAlpine Street with a gunshot wound to the head.
Talladega police responded to the scene around 2:30 a.m. Sunday. Wright was pronounced dead at the scene. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains ongoing.
CrimeStoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest.
Wright was not just another student. He was the captain of the Talladega High School basketball team, a multi-sport athlete, and by every account someone who carried himself the right way.
His principal, coaches, and superintendent all came forward publicly within hours of the news breaking.
A Young Man Everyone Vouched For
Talladega High School Principal Marvin Moten described Wright as a tremendous multi-sport athlete and said more than that, he was a great human being loved by his peers and the entire student body.
He noted that Wright had been voted for multiple things in the yearbook.
Superintendent Dr. Quentin J. Lee said “Everyone is hurting. No one should lose their life. But it’s really difficult when you see someone that’s full of promise, full of hope, full of aspirations.”
He released a statement calling the situation devastating and said Wright did not deserve what happened to him.
Lee also addressed the bigger picture, saying “Talladega, unfortunately, that has become the norm and we’re tired of it. We want our young men and our young women to be able to live full lives.”
Athletic Director Darian Simmons said “It makes no sense that we got young men at this age being plucked out of grasp, out of life over some nonsense.” He described Wright as locked in with college plans and a future that made complete sense.
Former basketball coach Christian Hutchinson said he went straight to the family. “They have more questions than anything, like what happened. They’re distraught, they’re really hurt by this,” he said.
His Family Wants Answers and So Does the Community
Wright’s cousin Shontavious Wright posted a raw message on Facebook after the shooting.
“Talladega keep snatching my people left and right. No way, I just witnessed my baby cousin being put in a body bag. Heart full of pain. If you know something, anything speak up, PLEASE. Jy’Kavien didn’t deserve this. Just a humble kid out here having his way. I’m hurt, my family hurt. Prayers for his dad and his mom. God.”
People online pushed for answers as well. Margie Campbell kept it direct, writing “There are a lot of armchair detectives and lawyers here. If you know something, report it.”
Jasper Johnson went a step further, pointing out that “more often than not, the culprit of these kinds of crimes is someone known to the victim” and urging investigators to look closely at those in Wright’s inner circle.
Frankie Calvert offered a blunter take, writing “No one deserves to be murdered. With that being said I do hate it.”
CrimeStoppers 215STOP is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an identification or arrest in Talladega, Alabama. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 334-215-STOP or texting 215stop to 738477.
Jy’Kavien Wright was 18 years old. He graduated two weeks ago. Nobody is in custody.
