‘Her soul was amazing’: Father remembers 6-year-old daughter killed in tragic shooting

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is investigating what detectives are calling an ”undetermined death” on Thursday.

A 6-year-old was shot inside the family’s Lake Forest home and later died at the hospital, police said.

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Family members identified the victim as Nay’loni Fairley. The little girl just started first grade and, like her father, loved to dance.

“From every step, from every movement, from every feeling, from every touch. I mean, she hit it head-on. Dancing was definitely her passion,” Fairley said. “She loved to dance. That was her passion, and that’s what she always wanted to do. She was just talented in every way.”

Fairley remembers his only daughter for her infectious smile and glowing personality.

Nay’loni Fairley had just started first grade. Her father said he always taught her to follow her dreams.

“I just wanted her to be whatever she wanted in life, and I knew whatever it was would be positive — because that’s the type of person she was,” he said.

Those dreams were tragically cut short Thursday. Fairley said the 6-year-old’s mother walked into the room and found her daughter on the floor. She immediately tried CPR, but Nay’loni Fairley was taken to the hospital and later died.

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Two other children were also in the home.

“We all should understand that regardless of what happened — her mom loved her so much,” Fairley said. “She will always live on. That flame will never go away. It will never burn out.”

The family is working to arrange funeral services. They have set up a Go Fund Me page to help with the expenses.

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6-year-old Nay'loni Fairley Picture of 6-year-old Nay'loni Fairley who died after a shooting. (James Fairley)

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