A Compton man was in custody Monday for allegedly killing his 9-year-old autistic son outside the boy’s grandfather’s home over the weekend.
Nicholas Jones, 32, was booked on suspicion of murder and “child abuse resulting in death” in the killing on Saturday of Princeton Jones, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner. He was being held on $2 million bail, the sheriff’s department reported.
No other details were immediately released regarding the circumstances of the shooting or what led to Jones’ arrest.
Deputies were sent to the 15000 block of South Haskins Avenue 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.”
Jones was arrested on Sunday, the sheriff’s department reported.
“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.”
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 lacrimestoppers.org.