A tragic incident in upstate New York has resulted in the deaths of two teenagers, 16-year-old Damarion Jones and 13-year-old Jonah Tanner, who were described as inseparable friends. Authorities reported that Jones accidentally shot Tanner with a 9 mm handgun last Wednesday night inside a home on Lincoln Avenue in Syracuse.
Following the accidental shooting, Jones reportedly died by suicide due to overwhelming guilt, according to Onondaga County prosecutors. Tanner was transported to a hospital in critical condition but was later pronounced brain dead. Jones sustained self-inflicted injuries that proved fatal.
Details surrounding the exact circumstances of the shooting and how the teenagers accessed the firearm have not yet been released by officials.
Fundraising efforts are underway for the boys. An online fundraiser for Tanner’s funeral expenses highlighted the pair's close bond, stating, "Their friendship brought so much joy and love to our lives, and their bond was truly special." The statement continued, "Tragically, we lost both boys on the same night, and the pain is overwhelming. It feels impossible to imagine life without them, and the grief has touched everyone who knew them."
A separate fundraiser for Jones mentioned that the best friends would "be laid to rest together," as "that’s what they would want." Jones' mother, Kiesha Brown Jones, described her son as "a sweet, loving, and kind-hearted young man" who brought "so much joy, laughter, and light" into her life. She stated that after the tragedy claimed his best friend's life, Damarion "could not bear the pain of what had happened," leading to their simultaneous loss.
Friends and family held a vigil to honor the two boys on Sunday. During the vigil, Jones' mother shared her son's final words to her: "'I love you,' and that's something that I have to hold -- that the last time I'm ever gonna hear my baby say 'I love you' again."