Corey Jones, a 31-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by police in Florida over the weekend after reportedly dealing with car troubles off I-95. The family of Jones is currently seeking answers in the shooting death, but authorities are not offering details at the moment.
According to a report from local outlet WPEC, the family has been informed that Jones, a local drummer who performed around town and in church, was shot and killed by Palm Beach Gardens Police early Sunday morning around 3:15 a.m. What isn’t known is the reason behind the shooting or the name of the officer involved. Adding to the developments, a cousin of the family says that Jones wasn’t known as a troublemaker and was just a musician trying to make his way.
From WPEC:
“We don’t know where his body is, we don’t know what’s going on, all we know is someone knocked on the door and said this has happened,” Jones’ cousin, Ava Wright told CBS12.
Wright says her cousin, a professional musician, was on his way home from a gig early Sunday morning when his car broke down. Wright says Jones reached out to his older brother, tell him what happened and that he would need a ride after calling a tow truck.
Jones’ family says they knew nothing of what happened until 13 hours later when a Palm Beach County Sheriff’s detective knocked on Jones’ brother’s front door and telling him Corey died in an officer-involved shooting.
Investigators with Palm Beach Gardens Police Department have released very little information. CBS12 also reached out to the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office, who is involved because this is an officer-involved shooting. PBSO directed us back to PBGPD, but did say they are awaiting information from PBGPD to find out what led up to the shooting itself.
“The family needs some comfort,” Wright said. “He never got into any trouble; he was a very good kid.”
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave per the policy of the Palm Beach Gardens Police department.
Watch WPEC’s report below.
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Photo: WPTV
