North Carolina Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 1173 into law on July 6, 2026. The legislation, known as Jaleeyah’s Law, increases penalties for gang-related crimes and provides prosecutors with stronger legal tools to address criminal gang activity.

The law is named in memory of 13-year-old Jaleeyah Tune, who was shot and killed on December 21, 2025, in Goldsboro while walking home with her sister. Three teens have been arrested in connection with her death. Governor Stein signed the bill in the presence of Jaleeyah’s family, including her mother Whitney Brown-Tune, as well as community leaders.

Jaleeyah’s Law amends state statutes to classify gang recruitment of individuals aged 18 and older as a Class F felony, expanding the definition of criminal gang activity to include online communications such as social media posts. The law also establishes that transferring firearms to known gang members or juveniles with knowledge of their intended criminal use is a Class G felony.

Whitney Brown-Tune identified herself as Jaleeyah’s mother and spoke at the signing ceremony. “It’s about giving prosecutors and communities stronger tools. It is about prevention, accountability and protection for families before tragedy happens,” she said.

She added, “Us as parents, we need to be more accountable for what our kids are doing on social media. It starts on social media before it hits the streets. Keep that in mind.”

Jaleeyah’s Law represents a legislative response to youth-involved gang violence in North Carolina, particularly following the high-profile killing of a minor in Goldsboro. By broadening the legal definition of gang activity to include digital communications and strengthening firearm transfer restrictions, the law aims to disrupt gang recruitment and reduce violent crime. The presence of the victim’s family and community leaders at the signing underscores the statute’s grounding in personal loss and local public safety concerns.