Harris County Sheriff’s Office/Shutterstock
Eric Black Jr., 20, has been identified as the gunman that shot and killed 7-year-old girl Jazmine Barnes in a drive-by shooting on Sunday, December 30. He has been charged with capital murder.
What Happened?
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, on the morning of Sunday, December 30, Black reportedly pulled up beside the family’s car in a red pickup truck and began open firing without provocation.
The truck was occupied by Barnes, her three sisters, and her mother, LaPorsha Washington. Barnes was struck in the head by one of Black’s gunshot and killed.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office released a composite sketch of Black on Thursday, January 3, and he was arrested on the night of Saturday, January 5. Investigators were able to identify Black as a suspect based on a tip.
via Harris County Sheriff’s Office:
Subsequent investigation revealed evidence that corroborated the tip, and Black was taken into custody in East Harris County without incident. Black then admitted to taking part in the shooting. Investigators are continuing to pursue evidence that could possibly lead to other suspects being charged in this case.
Jazmine’s mother was driving Jazmine and her three sisters southbound on the East Sam Houston Parkway feeder road near Wallisville Road at approximately 6:50 a.m. when they were fired upon by someone in another vehicle.
At this time, investigators do not believe Jazmine’s family was the intended target of the shooting, and that they were possibly shot as a result of mistaken identity.
In an official statement, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said that he is grateful to “our dedicated investigators, the partner law enforcement agencies that provided vital assistance, and tipsters from across the nation who pulled together to support our work to get justice for Jazmine.”
However, despite the arrest of Black, Sheriff Gonzalez said that their “work is not finished” and has asked anyone with information that may prove helpful to this ongoing investigation to contact the Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS or 713-221-6000.
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