Arrests Made In Jazmine Barnes Killing

Shine My Crown is sending condolences to the family of 7 year-old Jazmine Barnes, who experienced a heartbreaking loss on December 30.  Jazmine Barnes was riding in a car with her mother and three sisters on their way to get coffee, when a gunman in a red pickup truck pulled up alongside them and opened fire.

Her mother, LaPorsha Washington, was shot in the arm, and her 6 year-old sister suffered injuries from broken glass. Washington spoke about her daughter’s senseless death from her hospital bed. Washington believes her family was intentionally targeted as they drove past a Walmart.

Journalist Shaun King teamed up with S. Lee Merritt to offer a $35,000 reward to help identify the killer. It has since been raised to $100,000. NFL star DeAndre Hopkins dedicated his playoff check to help the 7-year-old’s family cover funeral expenses and assist with the reward money.

There is an update to this horrific tragedy: Initially, the young child’s siblings described the suspect as a bearded white man in his 40s. The suspect was said to be driving a red, extended-cab pickup truck. Arrests of two young Black men have since been made, with the motive cited being that of gang retaliation. Regardless of the background of her killers, they should be brought to justice. Shine My Crown continues to watch this developing story.