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One of two suspects in the fatal shooting of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes has been charged with capital murder. Get the latest updates on the murder investigation and find out how former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal and NFLer DeAndre Hopkins are helping inside...
At least one man has been arrested and charged for the death of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes.
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20-year-old Eric Black Jr. has been arrested and charged with capital murder for the killing of Jazmine Barnes after famed journalist/activist Shaun King shared a tip that he received. She became the victim of a drive-by shooting in Houston that detectives are calling a case of "mistaken identity," involving two suspects.
On December 30th, Jazmine, her mother LaPorsha Washington, and her three siblings were making a coffee run when a vehicle pulled up alongside of them and began shooting. Unfortunately, Jazmine was shot in her head and died. Her mother was shot in the arm and another one of her siblings was injured from the broken glass that shattered from the gun shots.
It was initially reported that detectives were searching for a white man, who was seen fleeing the scene in a red pick up truck after the shooting. Turns out, the white man - described to be in his 40s - who witnesses say they saw fleeing the scene was reportedly a bystander of the shooting. He reportedly was trying to get out of harm's way. Investigators are still looking for the driver.
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On Saturday (January 5th), Eric Black Jr. (above) was arrested during a traffic stop for not using a turn signal. He's accused of driving the car used in Jazmine's death. He faces a charge of capital murder.
There's a 2nd suspect in the murder investigation (who's already behind bars), however, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez declined to name him during the conference due to the pending investigation. Black admitted to police he was the one who drove the vehicle used in the shooting while another man opened fire. He also aided police in finding the murder weapon.
CNN reports:
The sheriff declined to name the second person, citing the pending investigation, but prosecutors identified Larry Woodruffe as the second suspect in a court hearing for Black Saturday morning, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Jail records indicate that Woodruffe is currently in custody on drug possession charges. He has not been charged in connection with the shooting.
The anonymous tipster said Black and another person, identified in court as "L.W.," shot at Jazmine's family's vehicle after mistaking it for another one.
Black was pulled over days later for not using his turn signal, according to the affidavit. He was arrested for marijuana possession and questioned by homicide investigators based on the tips, the affidavit said.
Black told investigators that he drove the vehicle used in the shooting while a man in the passenger seat opened fire, according to the affidavit.
Black said the gun used in the shooting was at his home, the affidavit said. He gave officers permission to search for it and they found a 9mm pistol consistent with shell casings recovered from the scene.
Check out the full press conference below:
After the arrest, Shaun King - who has been working tirelessly on finding the suspects - hopped on Twitter and expressed how some things about the case still aren't adding up:
Hmm....
As of yesterday, the Harris County Sheriff's Department announced Jazmine and her family are "innocent victims."
On Saturday (January 5th), hundreds of mourners joined Jazmine's mom, LaPorsha Washington, outside of the Walmart near where Jazmine was killed. Washington thanked everyone for the outpouring of support for her daughter, who would have celebrated her 8th birthday next month.
"I'm telling you, every time I see one of y'all reach out for me, I can hold my head up," she said. "I can get up in the morning."
Peep the clip below:
Shaun King spoke to Jazmine's father, who said he's relieved the killers have been caught:
A GoFundMe account was set up for Jazmine's funeral expenses and family. As of the time of this post, over $81,400 has been raised. $6,500 was the goal.
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Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal has reportedly offered to help with Jazmine's funeral expenses. According to reports, Shaq and Houston Senior Police Officer Kenneth Miles brought a cashier's check to Jazmine's family last week to pay for the funeral.
Also, Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins donated his NFL Wild Card round playoff check to Jazmine's family, which totals $29,000.
He hopped on social media to make the announcement:
On Instagram, he wrote, "When I see Jazmine Barnes’ face, I see my own daughter. I am pledging my playoff check this week to help her family with funeral costs and to support @shaunking @SherriffED_HCSO @SylvesterTurner in bringing this man to justice. On Saturday, I will be playing in your honor, Jazmine. #JusticeForJazmine #LoveOverHate"
Jazmine will be laid to rest tomorrow (January 8th) at noon. Services for Jazmine will start at 10AM with a viewing at Green House International Church.
Shoutout to Shaun King for going the extra mile to seek justice for a little black girl whose life was tragically taken far too soon. We offer our condelences to her family and friends during this tragic time.
Photos: AP/@HCSOTexas/Getty
