Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, breaking news, sweepstakes, and more!
Texas Teen Slain Months Before She Was Supposed To Graduate High School, Allegedly By Former Friend
Chineye Jones was “trying to leave harm’s way” when she was gunned down, according to her friends. Artis Ray Martin, 19, has been charged in her death.
A Texas teen’s life was tragically cut short in a shooting mere months before her high school graduation.
Officers with the Frisco Police Department responded to reports of a shooting at the Stewart Creek Apartments on Friday night and, upon their arrival, found 17-year-old Chineye Jones injured, having been shot multiple times, the department said in a recent news release. The teen was pronounced dead on the scene; another person, an unnamed adult male, was also shot, but was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Artis Ray Martin, a 19-year-old Frisco resident, was arrested in connection to the shooting and charged with murder and aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury, according to police. Although a motive has not been released, police said Sunday that the suspect was acquainted with the victims.
Jones was a student at Frisco High School, police said. In a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses, her mother Racquel Wooten described her as a “beautiful smart talented busy child.” Her daughter was months away from her 18th birthday and was set to graduate from high school in May, she said.
In another GoFundMe campaign, Jones’ friends said that she was “trying to leave harm’s way” when she was “senselessly, maliciously, and quickly” killed. They remembered her as a “vibrant” person known for her artistic abilities and big dreams.
Chineye’s father, Clarence Jones, said that his daughter and Martin, the person accused of killing her, used to be best friends “at one point,” Local Profile reports.
“Before me and my wife split up and got divorced, he was at my house every day,” Jones told the outlet. “He even spent the night a couple of times. I don’t know where they went wrong because I’m not there anymore. She never really talked to me about him at all.”
Martin remains in custody at the Collin County Detention Facility, where he is being held on $150,000 bond, online jail records show.
The Frisco Police Department on Sunday said that the shooting remains an active investigation. They ask that anyone with any information on the incident contact them at (972) 292-6010 or submit an anonymous tip via text to 847411 (tip411) or by downloading the FPD app.
