Tennessee Mother Accepts Diploma for Her Teen Son Who Was Shot Just Days Before Graduation

An emotional moment unfolded during graduation at a Tennessee high school as the mother accepted a diploma on behalf of her son, who is recovering after being shot in a mass shooting. Just weeks before commencement, Jakaylan Summers, 18, was preparing for his prom night when tragedy struck.

A pre-prom gathering on May 8 at a local park in Brownsville, a small city north of Memphis, took a deadly turn when shots rang out, WMC reported. One student was killed, and several others were left injured, including Summers, who is still recovering in the ICU.

Brownsville authorities have not made any arrests in the shooting, which killed 17-year-old Saturah Hayes, according to the outlet. The city’s mayor, William D. Rawls, called the incident “senseless and heartbreaking.”

“What was supposed to be a memorable and joyful night for the Class of 2026 was taken away by reckless gun violence,” he said. “No family, student, or member of our community should ever have to experience this kind of pain during a time that should be filled with celebration and hope.”

The tragedy forced Summers to miss his senior prom. But his mother, Jennifer, was not going to pass up the opportunity to celebrate her son’s academic achievements.

“My baby worked so hard to get this,” she told WMC of Summers’ high school diploma. “He was so excited.”

When officials at Liberty High School learned about Summers’ condition, they allowed his mother to walk the stage in his honor.

“My baby did his thing, trying to get that diploma, and just for somebody to just come and take that away,” she said of the shooting.

The 18-year-old suffered gunshot wounds in both of his arms. Since then, he’s undergone four surgeries, with another scheduled. His mother says he’s lost the ability to move either of his arms.

“He’s in a lot of pain,” she continued. “He told me yesterday, he was like, ‘Mama, this feels like a nightmare.’”

Although she’s thankful that her son is alive, Jennifer admitted to being “angry” over the shooting. Other families impacted by the shooting are now calling on the public to assist in bringing the people responsible to justice.

“This is difficult. What do you say to a child who was getting ready for a prom and now preparing for a funeral service?” Mayor Rawls asked. “It is unusual. It was unacceptable. It is a tragedy in our community. We want to rally together to make sure that we take care of our children.”

Though the graduate could not walk across the stage himself, Summers’ presence was still deeply felt. The 18-year-old, who recently became a father, has plans to attend a community college to earn HVAC certifications.