Capital Murder Charge Filed In Jazmine Barnes Case

HOUSTON, TX — Two men have been arrested for their role in the capital murder of 7-year-0ld Jazmine Barnes. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez announce the arrest of 20-year-old Eric Brown early Sunday, as well as a person of interest in the case.

During a press conference Sunday afternoon Gonzalez confirmed that Black had been charged with capital murder, and that 24-year-old Larry Woodruffe had been arrested on a separate charge, but could also be charged along with Black for his role.

Black, who has a lengthy criminal record, is being held without bond. Woodruffe is being held on a separate charge of narcotics possession and has a bail amount of $100,000, officials said.

Gonzalez said investigators received a tip from New York City Activists Shaun King that led to Black's arrest.

Investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office arrested Black on Saturday night without incident after receiving a tip.

Police said that during questioning, Black allegedly confessed to being the driver of the car, also implicated Woodruffe as the shooter.

"We don't believe that the family was involved in anything nefarious," Gonzalez said. "It appears to us, based on the information we've received, that this was a case of mistaken identity where the intended targets were likely someone else."

READ ALSO: Accused Jazmine Barnes Shooter Arrested, Charged With Murder

On Dec. 30, at about 6:50 a.m., Jazmine Barnes was riding in a car driven by her mother, LaPorsha Washington to get coffee. As the family drove along in the southbound lanes of E. Sam Houston Parkway frontage road just south of Wallisville Road, when gunfire erupted.

Jazmine was shot and killed, and her mother was wounded in the attack.

"We are still verifying information that is ongoing. There's still work to be done," Gonzalez said.

Homicide investigators were initially looking for a white man with a beard, wearing a red hoodie, and driving a red pickup. Days later, investigators released a composite sketch and announced they were looking for a clean shaven white man in his 30s or 40 wearing a black hoodie and driving red pickup.

"We do know there was a red pickup involved and we do know they came to a traffic stop," Gonzalez said. "We now believe the red truck entered the freeway and kept on going."

When the gunfire erupted, Gonzalez said he believes the witnesses merely saw the red pickup and assumed it was the shooter.

"It's very likely the last thing they did see was that red truck, and that's what they remember last," he said.

Officials said they now believe the person in the red pickup might have been a witness who was fleeing from the sound of the gunfire.

Gonzalez said investigators would still like to speak with the driver and hopefully shed some light on the shooting.

The funeral for Jazmine Barnes will be held Tuesday afternoon, followed by a balloon release.

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Image: HCSO

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