Background: News footage of the scene at the Pine Hills, Fla., home where Emony Nicole Jackson was killed on Dec. 25 (WKMG). Inset: Emony Nicole Jackson (Facebook).

The Orange County Sheriff’s Office revealed in a press statement, shared by local Fox station WOFL, that a 15-year-old boy faces a manslaughter charge in connection with the death of 13-year-old Emony Nicole Jackson. Due to his age, the boy’s identity remains confidential. According to authorities, the boy approached deputies at a Pine Hills residence on December 25th, admitting his involvement in the shooting but claiming it was unintentional. He told them that the incident was an accident.

The shooting occurred at 4:45 p.m. on Christmas Day, and emergency personnel rushed Emony to the hospital, where she was later declared deceased. The boy, who confessed to deputies at the scene, was subsequently taken into custody. Details surrounding the events that led to the shooting have not been disclosed, nor has the nature of the relationship between the two teenagers.

Friends and family of Emony came together for a candlelight vigil on Saturday to honor her memory. During the gathering, Cynthia Williams, Emony’s aunt, expressed the family’s skepticism about the shooting being accidental, as reported by local NBC station WESH. She stated, “In my eyes, there can never be an accident like that,” emphasizing the family’s desire for justice.

Emony’s loved ones gathered to celebrate the teen at a candlelight vigil on Saturday. Her aunt, Cynthia Williams, told local NBC affiliate WESH that the girl’s family did not believe the alleged shooting was an accident. She said, “In my eyes, there can never be an accident like that,” adding, “All we want is justice.”

Tremaine Henderson, Emony’s cousin, told WESH that the family had already mourned the loss of Emony’s mother and younger sister in 2017. The 13-year-old, Henderson said, “went through a lot in her life. But the lemons she was given, she made lemonade out of it.”

WESH reported that the middle schooler was looking forward to high school and wanted to become a cheerleader. Henderson said, “She had goals. She would never get to go to prom. She would never get to go to college.”

The alleged shooting is still being investigated by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.