On Tuesday, September 26, a young Texas man was taken into custody after admitting involvement in a violent act against a high school student. 

The incident occurred in Tyler, Texas, where Jamaurea Jermaine Britton, aged 19, has been charged with the killing of 18-year-old Dejah Hood, a student at John Tyler High School.

From the information gathered, Hood had spent the previous evening in the company of friends, Britton included. Her absence became alarming when she did not make her way back home and stopped answering phone calls and messages. 

Police officers, upon reaching Britton’s residence for an interview at approximately 1 pm on Tuesday, observed signs of blood. A comprehensive search resulted in the grim discovery of Hood’s body, concealed using trash bags, tape, and a sheet, located behind the Hollytree Apartments.

An arrest warrant provided a thorough account of the events leading to Hood’s untimely death. According to the warrant, Britton said that he had earlier picked up Hood and a toddler, whom Hood was watching, to assist him in preparing for a move. While at his residence, Britton, still upset from a past relationship, became increasingly agitated. An inadvertent gesture by Hood, lightly pulling his ear in a manner similar to a behavior of his ex-partner, set off a violent outburst. Hood was first struck with a glass bottle and subsequently with a hammer. The intensity of the attack resulted in the hammer’s handle breaking.

During this episode, a neighbor, having noticed the disturbance, approached Britton’s residence. Britton managed to dispel the neighbor’s concerns after hiding Hood’s body. He then cared for the toddler, who had been watching a film on his bed, and safely transported the child to Hood’s mother. Upon his return to his apartment, Britton noticed signs of life from Hood. In response, he stabbed her multiple times. Her body was later moved from the apartment around 3 AM, thrown over a fence, and covered with foliage.

Further details from the warrant reveal that, in addition to murder, Britton faces a charge of terroristic threat against a family or household. Presently, he is held at Smith County Jail, with bail established at $1.05 million.