A tragic event that took place in Jacksonville, Florida in May has resulted in the arrest of a woman on suspicion of manslaughter. The incident involved the fatal shooting of 19-year-old Aniyah Womack, who was hit in the stomach by a bullet from a rifle being used as a prop during a TikTok video shoot. Womack was later left at a local hospital where she eventually died from her injuries.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office revealed that their investigation into the shooting on May 24 led to the arrest of 20-year-old Mariah Jynnae Clayton, also a resident of Florida. Clayton was taken into custody on October 6 and is currently detained in a Jacksonville jail with a bond set at $250,000.
The unfortunate event unfolded in the bathroom of a friend’s apartment where Womack and Clayton were said to be filming TikTok videos. Witnesses in the apartment reported that Clayton was holding the rifle while Womack filmed her stepping out of the shower with the weapon. Despite a man in the apartment cautioning against playing with the gun, it went off while still in Clayton’s hands.
On the night of the shooting, Womack was transported to the hospital by two people, one of whom was Clayton. Clayton initially informed the police that she and the other driver had found Womack walking along the road and decided to take her to the hospital. However, the driver’s story was different, stating that he had driven to the apartment where Womack and Clayton were after buying marijuana. Upon his arrival, he was told that Womack had shot herself and needed to be taken to the hospital.
Womack’s family is still seeking justice for their loved one. They remember her as a lively young woman whose smile and personality will be sorely missed.