Captured Suspect In Houston's Jazmine Barnes Murder

2024 Author: Steven Freeman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 08:15

The driver who fled after the murder of Jazmine Barnes, 7, will be charged with premeditated murder on Monday.

Eric Black Jr., 20, was arrested Saturday for a traffic violation and arrested for possession of marijuana, Texas authorities said.

But thanks to an earlier lead by an anonymous source, police learned that Black may have been involved in the Dec. 30 shooting that took the life of little Jazmine, who was shot in the head while riding in a car with her three sisters and their mother.

The anonymous informant said Black and another person, identified in court as "LW," fired on the family's vehicle after mistaking it for another.

In court on Sunday, the sheriff declined to name the second person, citing a pending investigation. But prosecutors identified Larry Woodruffe as the second suspect in a court hearing for Black on Saturday morning, the Houston Chronicle reported.

During questioning on Sunday, Black admitted that he drove the vehicle used in the shooting, while a man in the passenger seat was the one who shot, according to a statement read aloud.

Black also said the weapon used in the shooting was at his home, the affidavit says. Officers found a 9mm pistol compatible with casings recovered from the scene.

Jail records indicate Woodruffe is in custody on drug possession charges. But he has not been charged in connection with the shooting, the investigation is ongoing.

Black was face to face with the judge in Harris County Court 176 on Monday at 9 am

On the morning of Jazmine's death, the girl and her three sisters were still in their pajamas while her mother drove to the store to buy supplies for breakfast.

Around 7 am, a man drove by his car and opened fire.

Jazmine's mother, LaPorsha Washington, 30, was shot in the arm, while her younger sister, 6, was injured by broken glass.

Minutes later, Jazmine was pronounced dead.