Police charge 20-year-old man with murder of seven-year-old Jazmine Barnes in drive-by shooting

<em>Jazmine Barnes was shot dead in what is believed as a result of mistaken identity (Picture: GoFundMe/Chris Cevilla)</em>
Jazmine Barnes was shot dead in what is believed as a result of mistaken identity (Picture: GoFundMe/Chris Cevilla)

Police in Texas have charged a man with the murder of a seven-year-old girl who was killed in a drive-by shooting as she and her family went to the supermarket.

Jazmine Barnes was shot in Houston, Texas, on December 30 after a suspect opened fire on the car she was in with her family. The seven-year-old died at the scene and her mother was shot in the arm.

The shooting prompted widespread outrage, with hundreds of people gathering at a rally to demand ‘Justice for Jazmine’.

A $100,000 (£79,000) reward was also offered for information leading to an arrest in Jazmine’s case.

On Sunday, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office announced that it has charged 20-year-old Eric Black Jr with Jazmine’s murder.

In a statement, it said investigators identified Black as a suspect after receiving a tip.

The statement added: “Investigators do not believe Jazmine’s family was the intended target of the shooting. They were possibly shot as a result of mistaken identity.”

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Following Black’s arrest, the sheriff’s office said he had admitted to taking part in the shooting.

Officials said investigators are also looking into the possibility that others could be charged in the case.

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