Jamyla Bolden: 9-Year-Old Girl, Shot In Ferguson While Doing Homework, Laid To Rest

Jamyla Bolden, the 9-year-old girl shot in her bedroom in Ferguson, while doing her homework, has been laid to rest amid heartbreaking sorrow.

The tragic case of young Jamyla Bolden, who was killed by a stray bullet that came through the wall of her bedroom while she sat doing her homework on August 18, sparked national attention and outrage. For her fourth-grade classmates — who should be enjoying the last days of summer vacation — it was heartbreaking, and cries were heard throughout the moving ceremony.

The services for Jamyla Bolden were held at the Friendly Missionary Baptist Church, where the Reverend Michael Jones delivered the heartfelt eulogy. Jones spoke of the 9-year-old girl, who was full of life and loved by many, and how her senseless murder has affected the entire community.

Many of Jamyla Bolden friends came to say their last goodbyes with their parents. Such was the case for 9-year-old Akeelah Kelly, who came with her mom wearing a pink dress. Her mother, Natasha, told the St. Louis American she warned her daughter if she wanted to leave at any time they could.

Akeelah and Jamyla were friends and neighbors, Kelly’s mother said. On Saturday, the funeral for Bolden was attended by hundreds of family, friends, and community members. The only black female on the Ferguson police force, Sgt. Dominica Fuller — who has a 9-year-old daughter — spoke during the funeral procession.

“Your daughter loved you,” the officer said to Jamyla’s mother, who was also shot in the leg during the attack. “When you’re alone by yourself and smell or feel something and you don’t know where it came from, that’s your angel.”

The funeral service for Jamyla Bolden was hard to endure for those attending, including Ferguson police officer Gregory Casem, who responded to the 911 call from the girl’s house and expressed his condolences during the ceremony.

“I picked Jamyla up, held her to my chest and told her to hold on. I don’t know whether I said that aloud or to God.

I watched the ambulance speed away, and I felt lost. You have touched the heart of the entire nation.”

Ferguson, Missouri, has been in turmoil ever since white police officer Darren Wilson killed 18-year-old Michael Brown on August 9, 2014. The shooting sparked anger and violent riots throughout the area. However, after an extensive investigation, Wilson was cleared of civil right violations by the U.S. Department of Justice. Moreover, according to the evidence, Wilson shot Brown in self-defense. Jamyla Bolden’s funeral took place at the same church where Michael Brown had his funeral.

After searching more than a week, authorities charged a 21-year-old man with second-degree murder and several other felonies in the death of Jamyla Bolden, according to the Associated Press.

[Photo by Michael B. Thomas / Getty Images]