residents rally behind 16-year-old Shamar Jones after arrest while selling candy

IRONDEQUOIT, N.Y. — Community members are expressing deep outrage following the arrest of 16-year-old Shamar Jones, who was taken into police custody while selling candy in Irondequoit.

According to supporters and neighbors, Jones had been selling snacks independently to earn money for school supplies, clothing, and everyday personal needs. At the time of the incident, Jones was already residing with local resident Michelle Hockenberry, who had previously opened her home to provide him with stable shelter and support.

The arrest has drawn sharp criticism from local residents and advocates, who argue that Jones was demonstrating positive initiative and self-reliance rather than engaging in harmful behavior.

As public reaction continues to build, community members are organizing support for Jones as he works toward his personal and educational goals. Those wishing to assist directly can contribute through the official GoFundMe page set up for his support at https://gofund.me/61dbf03bd.

Quick update for everyone following Shamar’s story:

We’re currently resolving a minor technical issue with GoFundMe regarding their platform policies to make sure everything is compliant.

The campaign will be fully back up and running shortly so you can continue supporting him. Thank you all for your patience, support, and generosity—we’ll share the updated link as soon as it’s live!

GSL News will continue following this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.