COMPTON, Calif.—A Los Angeles County man was charged with murder and child cruelty Tuesday for allegedly shooting his 9-year-old autistic son outside the boy’s grandfather’s home.
Nicholas Jones, 32, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to the charges of murder and willful cruelty to a child resulting in injury or death, according to court records. The murder charge includes an allegation of personal and intentional discharge of a firearm, while the child cruelty charge has an allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in death.
Jones remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail, according to jail records. He is due back in a Compton courtroom Jan. 7, when a date will be set for a hearing to determine if there is enough evidence for him to stand trial.
Jones was arrested Sunday in connection with the Saturday night killing of his son, Princeton Jones. Sheriff’s officials have not released any details on the circumstances of the fatal shooting or what led them to arrest Jones.
Deputies were sent to the 15000 block of South Haskins Avenue, in an unincorporated area just outside Compton, about 7:30 p.m. Saturday “regarding a gunshot victim call,” according to a sheriff’s department statement.
“Upon arrival, deputies located a ... male juvenile in the backyard of the residence suffering from a gunshot wound to his body,” sheriff’s officials said. “The juvenile was pronounced dead at the scene. Through investigation, Detectives identified the juvenile’s biological father, 32-year-old Nicholas Jones, of Compton, as a suspect.”
“This investigation is on-going and there is no additional information available at this time,” the statement said.
On a GoFundMe page established to help the family with funeral services, relatives wrote that Princeton was “a truly special young man with a brilliant mind and a warm heart.”
“Diagnosed with mild autism at the age of 2, Princeton worked tirelessly with the loving support of his mother and began speaking fluently by the age of 5,” according to the family. “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 fundraising page had raised more than $40,000 as of Wednesday morning.
Anyone with information on the case was urged to call the Sheriff’s Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500, or Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS. Tipsters may also use the website http://lacrimestoppers.org.
