My dearest family and friends,

My heart is broken into a million pieces as I try to understand the utterly devastating loss of my grandson, Jaden Echols. He was just 19, a young man with his whole life ahead of him, and it was ripped away by senseless gun violence. Jaden was a loving son, a caring brother, and, most importantly, the most wonderful, devoted daddy to his sweet little 1-year-old boy. His dreams, his potential, everything he was meant to be – all gone in a heartbeat.

Right now, our family is drowning in grief. We’re trying to navigate this impossible pain, but we’re also faced with the sudden, overwhelming cost of giving Jaden a proper goodbye. That’s why I'm reaching out to you, asking for your help.

We've started this GoFundMe to gather our community and anyone who can, to wrap our arms around Jayden’s family during this nightmare. Every dollar raised will go directly towards:

* Giving Jaden a beautiful funeral and memorial, a way for us to honor his memory.

* Making sure Jaden’s precious 1-year-old son is taken care of, securing his future.

* Helping his family with any other unexpected costs that come with this tragedy, so they can focus on healing.

Jaden’s memory will live on forever in our hearts. He was loved so deeply, and we will never forget him. Please, let’s come together to honor his life and offer some comfort to his family as they face this unimaginable loss. No matter how small, every gift will make a real difference. Please, share this with anyone you know, and keep Jaden’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your kindness and generosity.

With love,

Karen Echols, Jaden’s Grandmother.