On September 16, 2023, a 14-year-old girl lost her life due to a self-inflicted shooting in Aurora, Kansas, while she was under the supervision of a local deputy sheriff.
Earlier that day, Jaylee Chillson had run away from her family home. She was later discovered by a deputy sheriff at an outdoor gathering. Acting on information from the Cloud County Sheriff’s Office, the deputy intended to bring Chillson back to her residence. As she was being led to the patrol car, Chillson unexpectedly pulled out a firearm and shot herself. Despite the immediate interventions of both the deputy and an off-duty firefighter who was present, she was confirmed dead at the location.
The outdoor gathering at 210th R. and Lark Road was attended by students from both college and high school, and many saw the heart-wrenching incident unfold. The Cloud County Sheriff’s Office, wanting to maintain an unbiased approach, has called upon the Kansas Bureau of Investigation to handle the inquiry.
Jaylee’s parents, Jeb and Stacie Chillson, posted on Facebook that Jaylee had been bullied at school for at least the past year. They wrote about her being excluded from sports teams, receiving nasty messages, not being acknowledged when walking by, and even having some of her friends’ parents speak badly about her.
Born in Manhattan, Kansas, Jaylee had a zest for outdoor adventures. She loved activities like camping, fishing, and hunting, and was also a keen softball player. With dreams of becoming a diesel mechanic, she often accompanied her father on semi-truck rides. Her family includes her parents, siblings, and grandparents. A GoFundMe has been created to help the family cope with the financial demands of her passing.
