A teenager is dead following a shooting in Amory.
AMORY, Miss. (WTVA) — A tragic shooting occurred late Monday night, March 17, 2025, on Concord Avenue, resulting in the death of 19-year-old Jayden Blanchard. The shooting took place shortly before 10:37 p.m., and upon arrival, the Amory Police discovered the young man in the front yard of his home, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate medical attention, Blanchard succumbed to his injuries at the hospital shortly after the incident. An investigation was swiftly launched, leading to the arrest of 20-year-old Denzarious Wren, who was also found to have sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound during the incident.
Authorities recovered the firearm allegedly used by Wren during the shooting. According to the police, it appears the shooting was targeted and involved only these two individuals, alleviating some public concerns over broader safety issues. Amory Police Department has assured the community of the situation's isolation.
Wren is no stranger to trouble with the law, having faced charges for a similar shooting incident along the same road back in December. The connection between these two events is currently under investigation by local authorities, who are trying to piece together the circumstances surrounding last night's dispute.
There has been growing concern within Amory over gun violence, particularly involving younger individuals. Police Chief Jamie Smith expressed his condolences to the victim's family and emphasized the department's commitment to addressing this concerning trend. “Gun violence is never the answer,” Smith stated. “We need to work together to find solutions to keep our youth safe.”
Though the motivations behind the shooting remain unclear, officials are appealing to the community for any information relating to the incident. “We encourage anyone with more details about the events leading up to the shooting to contact us,” Chief Smith urged, hoping the community will rally together to combat the rising violence.
Residents of Amory are left reeling from the unexpected loss of one of their own, with many attending candlelight vigils to honor Blanchard's memory and call for peace. “This shouldn’t happen to anyone. We need to come together as a community and support each other,” said friend and classmate Melissa Torres, who spoke at one such vigil.
The impact of gun violence is haunting, especially among younger generations. Local leaders have begun discussions on implementing community programs aimed at educating youth about the dangers of firearms and promoting peaceful conflict resolution. “It’s about changing the culture of violence before it becomes the norm,” Mayor Tom Jenkins stated.
Wren's legal situation continues to develop, with many awaiting his court hearing after the initial charges related to his previous incident. The community watches closely as more details about this tragic shooting and the dynamics of the individuals involved emerge.
The Amory Police continue to patrol the area to assure residents of their safety and are determined to investigate this case thoroughly. Meanwhile, the community mourns the loss of Jayden Blanchard and hopes for peace and healing.
Above all, Amory residents are reminded of the fragility of life and the necessity of nurturing their youth. The overarching sentiment is one of unity and resilience as they navigate these challenging times together.
