Two grieving families in Syracuse, New York, say they plan to bury two inseparable best friends together after a heartbreaking shooting that left both boys dead.
Damarion Jones, 16, accidentally shot his best friend, 13-year-old Jonah Tanner, inside a home on Lincoln Avenue last Wednesday night, according to local reports citing Onondaga County prosecutors. Authorities said Jones then took his own life moments later, apparently overwhelmed by guilt.
Jones died from self-inflicted injuries on Wednesday. Tanner was taken to a hospital in critical condition and was later declared brain dead, according to local reports.
Prosecutors Say Shooting Was Accidental
Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick said Jones appeared to be devastated after unintentionally shooting Tanner.
After the shooting, Jones “apparently felt so guilt-ridden he shot himself,” Fitzpatrick told LocalSYR.
Officials have not yet released further details about how the shooting unfolded or how the teens gained access to the 9 mm handgun.
The tragedy has left both families searching for answers while mourning two boys they say shared a bond deeper than friendship.
Families Say the Boys Were “Inseparable”
An online fundraiser created for Tanner’s funeral expenses described the two boys as “inseparable.”
“Their friendship brought so much joy and love to our lives, and their bond was truly special,” the fundraiser said.
“Tragically, we lost both boys on the same night, and the pain is overwhelming. It feels impossible to imagine life without them, and the grief has touched everyone who knew them.”
A separate fundraiser for Jones said the boys would be “laid to rest together,” because “that’s what they would want.”
Damarion’s Mother Remembers Her Only Son
Jones’ mother, Kiesha Brown Jones, described her son as a sweet and loving teenager who brought joy to everyone around him.
“My son, Damarion Jones, was a sweet, loving, and kind-hearted young man,” she wrote. “He was only 16 years old and was my only son. He brought so much joy, laughter, and light into my life, and his kindness touched everyone who knew him.”
She said Damarion and Jonah were always together and had a bond “like brothers.”
“In the midst of a heartbreaking tragedy that claimed his best friend’s life, Damarion could not bear the pain of what had happened,” she wrote. “Within moments, we lost Damarion too.”
Vigil Held for the Two Friends
A vigil honoring both boys was held Sunday, bringing together relatives, friends and community members devastated by the loss.
At the gathering, Jones’ mother revealed the final words her son said to her.
“My son’s last words to me … ‘I love you,’” she told CNYCentral. “And that’s something that I have to hold — that the last time I’m ever gonna hear my baby say ‘I love you’ again.”
The families now face the painful task of saying goodbye to two young lives lost in a single night.
Community Mourns a Devastating Loss
The deaths of Damarion Jones and Jonah Tanner have shaken the Syracuse community and renewed questions about how teenagers were able to access a firearm.
For their families, the tragedy is not only about how the boys died, but also about how close they were in life.
They were best friends, almost brothers, and now their loved ones say they will be laid to rest together — a final reflection of the bond they shared.
Anyone struggling with suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis can call or text 988 in the United States for free, confidential support through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
