20-year-old man arrested and charged in shooting death of Jazmine Barnes

This Saturday night in Texas, a man was arrested and charged in the shooting death of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes, who was killed while riding in a car with her family.

The charges were filed against 20-year-old Eric Black Jr., who was brought to the investigation’s attention due to a tip. Black reportedly admitted to being behind the shooting before he was taken into custody. Other suspects could still be charged in what police say may be a case of mistaken identity.

Saturday night, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office tweeted that investigation had take a “new direction.”

“Detectives are in the process of interviewing persons of interest,” the tweet read. Soon after, Black was arrested.

Eric Black Jr. (screen grab via Click2Houston)

Barnes’ was killed last Sunday when she went for a early-morning trip in the family car to the convenience store.

From CNN:

It was an unremarkable drive except for one small thing. Washington, 30, and daughter Alexis Dilbert noticed a red or maroon pickup. The truck initially pulled up on the passenger side. It then rolled up driver’s side. Alexis looked over.

“You know when you’re driving and you look in someone’s car and you make eye contact? It was like that,” she said.

The traffic light turned green. Then the shooting began. Washington didn’t hear the first shot. Neither did Alexis. A bullet shattered Washington’s window. The truck sped up. The driver squeezed the trigger again. Now Washington heard the gunfire.

Alexis called out Jazmine’s name. Three times. No reply.

Washington flicked the dome light. She looked back. Jazmine was slumped against the rear door with a head wound.

Black has been charged with capital murder.

Barnes’ killing triggered an outcry in her community and from public figures. More than $100,000 was raised for a by civil rights activist Shaun King. Houston Texans star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said he would donate his playoff check to help with the family’s expenses and to go towards an award for information.

Update: According to CBS News, Black admitted to driving the car while one of his passengers opened fire. Another man is being held in connection with the shooting but has not yet been charged. A source told police that the suspects thought the vehicle carrying Jazmine was another vehicle they had seen earlier in the day. They didn’t realize they had hit the wrong vehicle until seeing the news later that day.

Watch Click2Houston‘s report on the story below:

Featured image via Time

Sky Palma

Before launching DeadState back in 2012, Sky Palma has been blogging about politics, social issues and religion for over a decade. He lives in Los Angeles and also enjoys Brazilian jiu jitsu, chess, music and art.