RACINE, WI — A profound sense of sorrow has gripped the city of Racine following the heartbreaking and senseless killing of an 11-year-old child on the evening of Friday, May 17, 2025. What was meant to be a typical spring evening turned into a nightmare that no parent, no family, and no community should ever have to endure. The young victim, whose name was released by grieving family members as Jaylen Thompson, was tragically shot in what authorities are calling a “shocking act of violence.”
Police responded to the shooting shortly after 7:45 p.m. in a residential neighborhood near the intersection of Taylor Avenue and 14th Street, a place where children are often seen riding bikes, playing basketball, or walking with friends. Upon arrival, first responders found Jaylen critically injured. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and trauma teams, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after being transported to Ascension All Saints Hospital.
The news of Jaylen’s death has left Racine devastated and in mourning. A child—barely on the threshold of adolescence—has been lost to gun violence, and the community is left searching for answers, comfort, and justice.
“He was full of life,” said Jaylen’s mother, Tamika Thompson, through tears at a press gathering held outside their home. “He was my baby. He loved playing video games, he loved his little sister, and he always had the brightest smile. He didn’t deserve this. No child does.”
Jaylen was described by friends, neighbors, and teachers as a kind-hearted, respectful boy with big dreams. A fifth-grade student at Knapp Elementary School, he loved math, played youth football, and talked often about wanting to become a firefighter one day—someone who helps others and protects his community.
As of now, the Racine Police Department is actively investigating the incident. No arrests have been made, but investigators are pursuing leads and reviewing surveillance footage from the area. They urge anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, to come forward to help bring justice for Jaylen and his family.
“This is every family’s worst nightmare,” said Police Chief Maurice Anderson during a press briefing on Saturday morning. “We are working tirelessly to find whoever is responsible for this horrendous act. We will not rest until we do.”
In the hours following the tragedy, an impromptu memorial began to grow at the site of the shooting. Teddy bears, candles, hand-drawn cards, and balloons bearing Jaylen’s name now decorate the sidewalk—a stark reminder of the young life lost far too soon. Community members, many of them strangers to the family, have come to pay their respects, offering prayers, tears, and embraces in a show of shared grief.
Racine Mayor Cory Mason issued a statement expressing condolences and calling for unity and urgent action. “This is a time for mourning, but also a time for resolve. We cannot let another child become a casualty of violence. Our hearts are broken today, but we must also be moved to change,” he said.
In response to the tragedy, local organizations and activists have mobilized. Community leaders are organizing a candlelight vigil, scheduled for Sunday evening, to honor Jaylen’s memory and call for an end to the violence that continues to plague neighborhoods across the country. Anti-violence groups are renewing their calls for intervention programs, increased support for at-risk youth, and stronger gun safety measures.
Social media has also become a space of mourning and reflection, with the hashtag #JusticeForJaylen trending locally as messages of support, sorrow, and solidarity pour in. “We lost a piece of our future,” one post read. “He was only 11. He deserved to grow up.”
The Thompson family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help with funeral costs and counseling for Jaylen’s younger siblings, who are struggling to comprehend the loss of their brother. The community’s outpouring of support has been swift, with donations and messages of compassion flooding in from across the state and beyond.
For now, Racine stands united in grief, grappling with the incomprehensible loss of a child so full of promise. As loved ones prepare to lay Jaylen to rest, they do so with a collective hope—that his life, though tragically cut short, will inspire real and lasting change. That the city will rise to protect its most vulnerable. And that his name will not be forgotten.
Jaylen Thompson should have had many more years to grow, to laugh, to chase his dreams. Instead, his memory will now be held close by a community determined not to let his light fade.
