A 15-year-old girl who was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter in the October 2024 shooting death of a teenage boy in Marion Oaks will be tried as an adult.
During an arraignment hearing on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, prosecutors announced that the charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child with a firearm has been filed against Jada Spence, 15, in connection with the fatal shooting that occurred on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.
On that date, at around 6 p.m., Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a residence in the Marion Oaks subdivision following reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, they found a teenager, later identified as Marshaun Jones, who was deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.
According to MCSO, detectives launched an investigation, which revealed that Spence, Jones, and four other teens had gathered at the home to “hang out and smoke marijuana.”
Witnesses told detectives that they heard a gunshot, followed by Spence exclaiming that she “didn’t know it was loaded.” The sheriff’s office stated that security footage was obtained during the investigation that corroborated these statements.
While speaking with investigators, Spence initially denied shooting Jones, claiming that the gun involved in the incident had accidentally fired when “someone dropped it.”
However, during a follow-up interview, MCSO stated that Spence admitted to hearing Jones pull the trigger of the gun, which led her to believe that the firearm was unloaded. She then allegedly admitted to grabbing the firearm, pointing it at Jones’ face, and pulling the trigger.
On Thursday, November 21, 2024, MCSO detectives arrested Spence for her alleged involvement in the shooting death of Jones.
Jones is scheduled to appear in court in late April of 2025 for a trial priority hearing, and she will be tried as an adult.
Court records show that Jones is being represented by local criminal defense attorney David Mengers.