ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney's Office released charges Tuesday against a man for a homicide on Sept. 28 in north St. Louis County.
Max Jones, 21, was charged with second-degree murder and armed criminal action for the death of 57-year-old Earl Jones, Jr. The victim and suspect are not related, St. Louis County police said.
According to a probable cause statement from the St. Louis County Police Department, officers arrived at about 7:30 a.m. on Sept. 28 to a ShotSpotter activation in the intersection of Winkler and Kappel drives. Police say ShotSpoter has sensitive audio sensors that detect gunshots and can pinpoint a location.
There, they found Earl Jones, Jr. shot once in the head. Earl Jones, Jr. was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Police said he lived a mile away from the scene of the shooting.
A witness told police that a man was seen carrying a unique bag and walking away from Earl Jones, Jr., the statement said.
Detectives reviewed surveillance video and spotted a man carrying the same bag in a nearby convenience store minutes before the homicide.
Max Jones, 21, was arrested by the Ferguson Police Department on Sept. 29 for another homicide and trying to conceal a gun, the probable cause statement said.
The St. Louis County crime lab determined ballistics from the gun matched those found in the homicide of Earl Jones and the homicide in Ferguson.
Max Jones was interviewed by police and identified himself as the person carrying the bag in surveillance video. An investigation revealed Max Jones had purchased the gun used to commit the homicide on Winkler and Kappel drives.
Max Jones is held on a $1 million, cash-only bond with 10% posting not allowed.
Resources for crime victims
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.”
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
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