Court: Shootout suspect killed 16 year old over stolen firearm
A stolen gun is what sparked the shootout that killed 16-year-old Christopher Jones last week, according to court testimony.
Jaquan Harris and Jamal Scott faced felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a pistol, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and two theft by receiving stolen property charges during a Tuesday morning Recorder's Court hearing.
Police say the teens helped instigate the fatal confrontation with another shooter, still unidentified, after he allegedly stole a gun the three of them were trying to sell. Police said Harris and Scott are 14 and 15 years old, but did not specify who was younger.
A detective told the court Tuesday that the teens' night began on Calvin Avenue around 9 p.m., Thursday. Jones, Harris and Scott were attempting to sell a .40 caliber Glock to Jones' suspected shooter when the suspect reached into a 2012 Hyundai Sonata and snatched the firearm, according to court testimony.
Incensed, the teens retrieved an AK-47 from an undisclosed location and began searching for the suspect on the 2200 block of Winston Road, the detective told the court. They also used two handguns already located inside the Hyundai, police said.
When the three teens found the suspect sitting on a Winston Road porch, they opened fire. Police say the suspect then shot Jones in the head as the teens fled, causing them to crash their bullet-riddled Hyundai at the intersection of Winston Road and Head Street around 10:10 p.m.
Investigators later found dozens of bullets on scene, none of which seemed connected to the AK-47. During questioning, Harris told police that although he pointed the AK-47 at the suspect, his lack of experience with firearms prevented him from utilizing the gun. The AK-47 was fully loaded, although the detective could not confirm whether a round was in the chamber when police recovered the weapon.
Scott, who wielded one of the handguns, told police he did fire shots during the exchange, the detective said.
In addition to the AK-47, police recovered the two handguns, including one which had been reported stolen, from the Hyundai. The Hyundai had been reported stolen earlier in the day, the detective told the court.
Police also arrested 44-year-old Antonio Robinson, a resident on the 1000 block of Winston Road, during the investigation. He was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime and keeping a disorderly house, according to earlier reports. Robinson's case was not discussed during Tuesday's hearing.
Judge Michael Cielinski set no bond for Harris and Scott's murder charges. A $54,000 bond was set on the remaining charges.
Harris and Scott will be held in the Aaron Cohn Regional Youth Detention Center until their cases appear before the Muscogee County Superior Court.
This story was originally published August 26, 2014 at 2:02 PM with the headline "Court: Shootout suspect killed 16 year old over stolen firearm."