Ke’Jaylen Cook Fatal Shooting McComb, MS Death and Obituary

Shock and sorrow have settled over McComb following the tragic death of Ke’Jaylen Cook, a 14-year-old whose future was filled with potential and possibility. On Sunday afternoon, that promise was shattered by violence, leaving a grieving family and community searching for answers.

The McComb Police Department reported that officers were dispatched shortly before 2 p.m. to the area of South Chestnut Street and Avenue B. There, they discovered Ke’Jaylen with gunshot wounds. He was rushed to Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center but was later pronounced dead despite life-saving efforts. Officials have confirmed that this marks the first homicide of 2026 in the city, and the investigation remains active.

Friends and family describe Ke’Jaylen as a bright presence — a teenager whose laughter and curiosity reflected both innocence and determination. He was a beloved son and a valued student, remembered for his friendly nature and ability to connect easily with others. His absence is deeply felt in classrooms, neighborhoods, and among peers who expected to grow up alongside him.

In response to the tragedy, the McComb School District extended condolences and encouraged unity and vigilance within the community. Plans for candlelight vigils and memorials are underway, offering spaces for collective remembrance and healing.

While grief weighs heavily, so too does the resolve to honor Ke’Jaylen’s life — not solely by the manner of his passing, but by the joy and warmth he shared during his 14 years. His memory will endure in every life he touched.