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Screenshot of Jazmine Barnes
Texas police have arrested two suspects on Saturday in the shooting death of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes, reports CNN.
Prosecutors say that Eric Black Jr., 20, was driving a vehicle and that another suspect, identified as Larry Woodruffe, 24, shot into Jazmine’s mother’s car. Black is facing a capital murder charge and is being held without bail, writes NBC News, while Woodruffe was taken into custody; it’s unclear what his charges are.
BREAKING: @HCSOTexas has identified 1st suspect in #JazmineBarnes murder as Eric Black, Jr. 20. I can also confirm a 2nd suspect as Larry Woodruffe, 24 (below). He is believed to be the shooter. No connection to Jazmine or her family, per sources. https://t.co/wnaXDXVOO0 #abc13 pic.twitter.com/YsYvUSZX4g
— Jessica Willey (@ImJessicaWilley) January 6, 2019
Jazmine was with her mother, LaPorsha Washington and three sisters on Dec. 30 when a car pulled up next to their vehicle in a parking lot and the suspected gunman opened fire. Jazmine was killed, her mother and one sister were injured and two other sisters were unharmed.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, it received a tip identifying Black and that he admitted to taking part in the shooting. Shell casings found at the scene of the crime were consistent with a 9 mm pistol that officials found on Black’s property, according to prosecutors.
The tip said that Washington’s car was shot at “by mistake” as the suspects thought it belonged to someone else, added prosecutors.
This is Eric Black, Jr, 20, (via @HCSOTexas) He is charged w/ capital murder in death of #JazmineBarnes. Investigators say he confessed to driving the car while Larry Woodruffe, 24, allegedly shot @ Jazmine’s family. Both were in court overnight. https://t.co/17YGLo7YGC #abc13 pic.twitter.com/W7RfyIjWFm
— Jessica Willey (@ImJessicaWilley) January 6, 2019
Authorities were looking for a bearded, White man in his 40s, but Black and Woodruffe are both African-American.
Shaun King, who was offering a $50,000 reward for any information related to Jazmine’s death, posted about the latest development on social media.
Attorney S. Lee Merritt, who’s working with Jazmine’s family told CNN that the arrest “was welcome news” but “at the same time, it was a major shock to the family. Adding, “Up until this point, at least four independent witnesses and a composite sketch had identified the primary suspect as a 40-something-year-old White male.”
News of Jazmine’s death spread online and many people demanded justice as the manhunt for her suspected killer was underway.
Houston Texan player DeAndre Hopkins said that he would donate his playoff check to Barnes’ family to help with funeral costs. A GoFundMe page was also set up to assist the family.
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