Who was JaDerek Gray? Texas motorcyclist, 19, shot dead after he pulled gun on driver
FORT WORTH, TEXAS: A 19-year-old motorcyclist was shot and killed after a road-rage incident on June 25. According to reports, JaDerek Gray was shot multiple times in "self-defense" by an SUV driver after Gray threatened him with a gun. Gray was later pronounced dead in hospital while the shooter will not be charged.
As America reopens and returns to normal, gun violence has skyrocketed in 2021. The shooting of Gray is just one of the numerous incidents in Texas. In March, there was a shooting at the Six Flags Over amusement park in Arlington. Then in April, a mass shooting in Bryan killed one and injured five. Despite this, the state legislature approved a bill to legalize permitless carry, or constitutional carry in late May.
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The constitutional carry bill was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 17 and will go into effect on September 1, despite opposition. Critics have said it would lead to a massive rise in shootings which are already rocking the US. This is everything we know about Gray's shooting.
Who was JaDerek Gray?
A resident of Bedford, Tarrant County, Gray was only 19 years old when he was shot. He graduated from Arlington high school in September 2020 and is unclear whether he went to college. Gray's Facebook page doesn't list an educational institution or place of work. Judging by his Facebook profile, Gray had a love for automobiles and frequently posted images of cars. He also owned a green motorbike which he was on the day he was shot. According to an obituary on Dignity Memorial, Gray planned to enlist in the Air Force.
Little else is known about Gray, beyond the incident on June 25 that led to his death. According to reports, Gray was riding in between lanes on northbound Interstate 35, when the SUV started to change lanes. The driver reportedly didn't see Gray and nearly collided with him. Gray managed to swerve out of the way and went ahead of the SUV. He then parked his bike in the middle of the road, blocking traffic.
Police say Gray then pulled out a gun and began walking towards the SUV driver (who has not been identified). The driver asked Gray to put his gun down, claiming there were children in the car. When he didn't do so and kept advancing on the vehicle, the driver retrieved his handgun and shot Grey numerous times. " I was only about three cars behind where it happened," an eyewitness Isel Valenzuela told CBS Local.
Isel, who had a trauma kit in his car, stepped out and attempted to help Gray, who was asking other drivers for help. "The guy was in pain. Saying oh it hurts. I need to breathe," Isel said. Around three minutes later, police and paramedics arrived after the SUV driver dialed 911. Gray was then flown to a local hospital, where he was declared dead. Police have investigated the incident and even interviewed the SUV driver. No charges have been filed and the case has been closed as "self-defense" according to reports.
Unfortunately, Gray's Facebook account has since been filled with numerous sick trolls, who have left comments after his shooting. Gray's family has not yet provided a comment on the shooting.