Just two days after Thanksgiving, a California family experienced a nightmare after suffering a shocking loss from an incident that investigators have yet to solve.
Princeton Jones, a 9-year-old autistic Black boy, was at his grandfather’s house at the intersection of Haskins Avenue and Alondra Boulevard in Compton, Ca. the evening of Nov. 30. Police say around 7:40 p.m. shots were fired, fatally striking the boy as he played outside. So far, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office has no leads in regards to suspects, vehicles or gang-related violence. They only encourage local residents to speak up if they have any information, leaving both the community and Princeton’s family in the dark.
“We don’t know any information. But what we do know was that he was a 9-year-old innocent child who never should’ve been shot down in cold blood,” said Najee Ali, director of Project of Islamic Hope, via KTLA.
Princeton was born in 2015 and diagnosed with mild autism at two years old, his family wrote in a donation post. With the support of his mother, he worked tirelessly against the disorder, having accomplished fluent speech by the age of five.
His family remembers him as a “truly special young man with brilliant mind and a warm heart.”
“Princeton was a beacon of joy, lighting up every room he entered with his humor and infectious smile. He was adored by his friends, family, and community, who all cherished the incredible person he was becoming,” the family wrote, adding they were left devastated by his death and searching for answers as the investigation continues.
They held a vigil Sunday evening to remember Princeton but also to rally against gun violence, particularly shootings that harm innocent children, KTLA reports.
Anyone with more information is encouraged to contact the LA County Sheriff’s Department at (310) 605-6500.