Jaqaris Andrew Jemison
Jaqaris Andrew Jemison, 21, of Newport News, died on June 17, 2025, after being held at the Newport News City Jail. His mother, Shakia Bailey, called the jail that day to say she believed her son was in danger and that someone needed to check on him. The Newport News Sheriff's Office said he was found unresponsive in his cell and later died at a local hospital, and it said he died by suicide while the medical examiner will determine the cause of death. A family lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court says he hanged himself with a bedsheet about 20 minutes after the call, that deputies did not check on him for nearly an hour, and that a deputy falsely claimed to have completed rounds, claims the deputies' lawyers deny.
Cause of death, as reported: Died by suicide (neglect alleged). The Sheriff's Office says he died by suicide, and his family's lawsuit agrees he hanged himself but says his mother warned jail staff he was in danger hours earlier and deputies did not check on him for nearly an hour, and that a deputy falsely claimed to have completed rounds.
Reported by: Newport News Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); family's $20 million lawsuit in U.S. District Court (family or their lawyers).
Lawsuit: His family filed a $20 million lawsuit in U.S. District Court over his death at the Newport News City Jail, alleging deputies failed to check on him, and the deputies' lawyers deny the claims.