That fundraiser, organized by a family friend, describes Jayden as “a light in our lives” and pleads for justice. It also includes the haunting final photo — a detail that has sparked debate online about whether such images should be shared publicly. Supporters argue that it personalizes the tragedy and might prompt witnesses to come forward, while critics worry it could retraumatize those close to him.
Jayden’s uncle, Carlos Martinez, told The Guardian he hopes the image will “burn into someone’s mind enough to speak up.” Police say they have already received several tips since the picture was released, though none have led to an arrest yet.
Detectives are using every available tool, including ballistic analysis and license plate recognition technology. “We have shell casings, we have video, and we have witnesses,” a police spokesperson told CBS News. “But what we need most is for people who know something to stop protecting the shooter and start protecting this community.”
Friends of Jayden say he dreamed of becoming a firefighter. “He wanted to save lives. That’s what makes this so cruel,” one classmate told reporters. #JusticeForJayden— CityBeat News (@CityBeatNow) August 9, 2025
At Jayden’s high school, grief counselors have been made available as students grapple with the loss. Principal Marisol Vega told USA Today that the photo has been circulating among classmates, who are struggling to reconcile the smiling boy they see in it with the brutal reality of his death. “He was still a child,” Vega said. “And now, because of senseless violence, that’s all he’ll ever be.”
The investigation remains active, with police urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. In the meantime, Jayden’s family is preparing for his funeral, which will be held next Thursday at St. Mary’s Church. His coffin will be carried by members of the local youth football team, where Jayden once played as a running back.
As Ana Ortiz put it in an interview with People, “They took my boy from me, but they can’t take away the love everyone had for him. That photo — I hate it, and I love it. It’s proof that he was happy, right before the world went dark.”
