Grieving family members share remembrances of JSU student killed homecoming weekend

Pam Dankins, Mississippi Clarion-Ledger
·3 min read

The family of a deceased 21-year-old Jackson State University student spoke out about the void in their lives after the loss of their loved one, Jaylen Burns.

Burns, a senior majoring in industrial technology from Chicago, was shot and killed at the University Pointe Apartment Complex on campus Sunday, Oct. 15.

He would have turned 22 in November.

"When you come in contact with him, you wanted to be a better person," Jason Burns, Jaylen's father, said. "He was special. If we could have bottled it up and kept it, I think we would have."

The family said Jaylen had many dreams and aspirations such as studying astrophysics and becoming an auto mechanic. Dreams his mother, La' Trice Wright said were cut short.

La'Trice Wright, the mother of Jaylen Burns, listens as the family shares memories of Jaylen while gathered in Jackson on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Jackson State University student Jaylen Burns, 21, of Chicago, was fatally shot on campus Sunday.
La'Trice Wright, the mother of Jaylen Burns, listens as the family shares memories of Jaylen while gathered in Jackson on Wednesday, Oct. 18. Jackson State University student Jaylen Burns, 21, of Chicago, was fatally shot on campus Sunday.

Wright said Jaylen was a determined individual and whatever he set his mind to he would have been able to achieve.

"He was special, and he had a way of letting people know that he was meant for great things," Wright said. "His footsteps were walking toward greatness. They were walking toward destiny."

The family said that Jaylen was a "unique and inquisitive" person who was able to touch the lives of many people along with those who knew him from his involvement on campus.

Jaylen was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. and president of the C100 Chapter at Jackson State University, an affiliate of the 100 Black Men of America. According to his father, Jason Burns, Jaylen made the dean's list every year.

The family of Jaylen Burns, front from left, stepmother Siovhan Shay Burns, father Jason Burns, mother La'Trice Wright, stepfather Savokia Wright, and siblings, back from left, Jenai Burns, 19, Justin Burns, 23, and Jordan Burns 30, share memories of Jaylen while gathered in Jackson, Miss., Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. Jackson State University student Jaylen Burns of Chicago was fatally shot on campus Sunday.

"He was my best friend," said Justin Burns, Jaylen's 23-year-old brother.

"He was like my rib... a chess piece... a pillow," said Jordan Burns, Jaylen's oldest brother. "He inspired me to be better."

"We would've done anything for each other," Jenai Burns, Jaylen's 19-year-old sister, stated. "Anything."

The JSU community has rallied behind the grieving family, offering their support and condolences during this time.

Acting JSU President Elayne Haynes-Anthony said in a video statement on Tuesday, Oct. 17, that the loss of Burns' life is “devastating and unfathomable to the JSU community.”

“It does not represent who we are as a Tiger family or a place in higher education,” Haynes-Anthony said in the video. “We are committed to uplifting Jaylen’s memory and using it to propel us forward in love and unity.”

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. released a statement Monday, Oct. 16, stating that organization mourns the death of Jaylen, "who is trying to make a difference and be of service on campus and in the lives of others."

A balloon release was held on JSU's campus Tuesday evening in honor of Jaylen's life.

In the face of loss, Jaylen's family members said they are taking things by the second, by the hour and by the day. They encouraged everyone to remember the importance of cherishing every moment with their loved ones, for life is fragile and unpredictable.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Family killed student share details of his live Jackson MS State