19-year-old Aniyah Womack was filming TikTok videos with 20-year-old Mariah Clayton. As part of the recording, a rifle was being used as a prop. According to witnesses, the pair were in a bathroom. Clayton emerged from the shower holding the firearm, while Womack was filming. A man present at the scene attempted to intervene, warning them about the dangers of the weapon. As he tried to take the rifle away from Clayton, it discharged, hitting Womack in the stomach.

Following the event, Womack was anonymously dropped off at a local hospital, alone, in the early hours of the morning. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead around 4 am. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation, and Clayton quickly became a prime suspect in Womack’s death.

There have been varying accounts of the events that transpired that night in late May, 2023. Clayton initially told officers that she stumbled upon Womack, injured on the side of a road, and decided to help. 

However, this claim was refuted by the driver of the car who transported Womack to the hospital. He clarified that he had initially visited the apartment to buy marijuana and was later informed that Womack had been hurt and needed medical attention.

On the heels of a tip from the local community organization Mad Dads, Clayton was arrested on October 6. She is currently being held on a $250,000 bond. The crux of the charges against Clayton is rooted in the allegations of her negligent handling of the rifle, which directly resulted in Womack’s untimely death. She has been charged with manslaughter based on these allegations.