A 19-year-old former Rowan High School student, Jayden Hicks, was fatally shot by his best friend Colton Alexander Adkins in an accidental incident on Saturday, June 22, 2025.
The tragedy has also affected Adkins deeply, who was described by Jayden’s grandmother as his best friend, “like a brother.”
Both Jayden’s grandmother and mother plan to ask the judge for leniency for Adkins, believing Jayden would not have wanted his friend harshly punished for the accident.
Jayden was a former East Rowan High School student who had left school a year and a half ago to pursue his high school diploma online.
Jayden Hicks is survived by his girlfriend of 4 years, Naomi Hall-Bruce; his mother; three elder brothers, Jordan, Josh, and Jacob; a younger sister; his grandmother, Lisa Taylor; and his grandfather.
Jayden and his girlfriend, Naomi, met when they were young and remained childhood friends for years. The couple later reconnected in 2021 and had been dating until Hicks took his last breath.
Following his tragic demise, she penned a lengthy Facebook post expressing her raw emotions and spoke of his bright personality, which reads:
oh my beautiful beautiful sweet boy, you will be so dearly missed. i can’t explain the pain and anger im feeling right now. i will never meet anyone who has the amazing personality you do.
Naomi Hall-Bruce
you don’t understand how much i want to be up there with you i miss you so much. you could always make me smile when i was sad and i never had to question your love for me. i love you baby so so much, im so sorry this has happened to you.
Whereas, on Instagram story, she shared their childhood photo writing, "me and Jayden when we were little babies. our love will continue forever."
Jayden’s elder brother Jordan Hicks shared a childhood video of him doing flips on a trampoline, writing:
If I only knew then, how special that moment was. He used to watch me do flips and wanted to be like his big bro❤️
Jayden’s paternal grandmother, Lisa Taylor, said he was staying with friends to give his room to visiting family members, who spoke volumes about his selfless nature.
She added that Jayden loved dirt bikes, skateboarding, fishing, and golf, and was working toward his diploma while planning to get his driver’s license and learn his grandfather’s cable television business in California.
His sister-in-law, Natasha Tejeda, described him as a beloved brother to his three older brothers and younger sister, calling him part of the “fantastic four.”
She cherished memories of taking him jet skiing and watching him grow into a wonderful young man, writing:
Today, we lost someone incredibly special. It feels impossible to express how much he meant to us. I feel so lucky to have watched him grow into such a wonderful young man during the time I’ve been with his brother. He was kind, hilarious, and had this amazing way of lighting up every room he entered.
Natasha
His aunt, Samantha Veros, shared, “Jayden was the sweetest soul you could meet. He would do anything for the people he cared about.”
She has started a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses, noting the family was unprepared for such a sudden loss.
Jayden Hicks’s Close Friend, Adkins, Is Charged With Involuntary Manslaughter!
Reportedly, the incident occurred early in the morning at a home on Hutchins Way, not far from the town of Faith, N.C.
According to the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, Jayden was hanging out with his friend, 19-year-old Colton Alexander Adkins, in Adkins’ room.
The two were listening to music when Adkins picked up a rifle from the corner of the room, believing it was unloaded. Adkins pointed the rifle at Jayden Hicks and pulled the trigger, unaware that the gun was loaded.
The bullet struck Jayden, and despite Adkins’ attempts to perform life-saving measures following 911 instructions, Jayden was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders.
The Rowan County Sheriff’s Office, with help from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, processed the scene and interviewed those involved.
Adkins was charged with involuntary manslaughter and is being held at the Rowan County Detention Center on a $10,000 bond.
Thus far, the details surrounding his funeral services remain unknown as his family grieves in private.
During this ordeal, we offer our heartfelt condolences to Hicks’ parents, siblings, girlfriend, friends, and extended family.
Rest In Heavenly Peace, Jayden Hicks!
