44 Firearms Dismantled In Honor of Jayden Hoyle

On Saturday, February 25, 2023, Guns to Gardens Metro Denver dismantled 44 firearms in honor of Jayden Hoyle.

Jayden Hoyle, 13 years old, was killed by gun violence on April 8, 2022.

Tasha Cooper, Jayden’s mother, helps dismantle a firearm.

Tasha Cooper’s only son Jayden Hoyle, age 13, the youngest of her four children, was an 8th grader at Denver Green School in Northfield, and preparing for his Confirmation at People’s Presbyterian Church last April, when he was murdered, along with a friend Adrian Foster, 14.  They were traveling in a car on Peoria St. when they were hit by gunfire from another car.  When their car lost control and hit a truck coming in the opposite direction, the driver and father of three, Uriel Medina, was also killed.

Tasha described her son as happy and energetic.  He loved life and he loved others, always generously giving away his school snacks, his clothes and anything else that he had.  He had a great smile and personality, always asking, “How are you feeling?”  He was both a mommy’s boy and a daddy’s boy, and he loved to help his grandmother with household chores.  He shoveled snow for neighbors.  He was a support to a friend who was bullied.  He was the son and friend that everyone would want to have.

Jayden was a member of Peoples Presbyterian Church since he was born and baptized there. He helped the elders there and people would often hear him saying “Praise the Lord!” He was well loved and loved others. The world was richer because of Jayden.

Jayden hated arguments and he hated how people were dying from violence, and that he was losing friends. Tasha says that she “listened to the stuff that my son was saying.  I am living the way he would want me to live.”  With that motivation, Tasha started Jayden’s Place, a food bank, clothing back and place for kids to come for tutoring and after school for dinner.  A team of teachers from Jayden’s school have joined her in staffing and organizing Jayden’s Place.  They welcome donations and volunteers to support young people and provide a safe place for them to grow.  Jayden’s Place is located at 12215 E. 53rd Avenue, Denver.  The website with information about services and opportunities to volunteer and donate is Jayden's Place.

Tasha was on the steering committee and volunteered at the February 25th Guns to Gardens event at Columbine United Church.