Second Suspect In Jazmine Barnes Case Charged With Capital Murder

HOUSTON, TX — A second suspect in the shooting death of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes was charged with capital murder on the day her family laid the little girl to rest. Homicide investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office announced Tuesday that capital murder charges against 24-year-old Larry Woodruffe had been accepted by the Harris County District Attorney's Office.

Woodruffe, who was arrested on Sunday on an unrelated narcotics charge, is believed to have been the trigger man in a tragic case of mistaken identity that claimed the life of Jazmine Barnes, wounded her mother, LaPorsha Washington, and ignited a firestorm of calls for justice from all over the U.S.

Jazmine Barnes was riding with her family along E. Sam Houston Tollway near Wallisville Road just before 7 a.m. on Dec. 30, when Woodruffe, and Eric Black Jr., 20,allegedly drove up beside the car and open fired on the family inside.

Investigators identified Woodruffe and Black as suspects based on a tip. Subsequent investigation revealed evidence that corroborated the tip, and both men were arrested on Jan. 5 in East Harris County.

Investigators said Black allegedly confessed to then admitted to taking part in the shooting and was charged with capital murder.

Woodruffe was booked into the Harris County Jail on a felony drug possession charge, pending further investigation.

On Tuesday, prosecutors with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office accepted a capital murder charge against Woodruffe.

Both men face the possibility of life in prison or the death penalty if they are convicted.

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Image: HCSO

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