2 Teens Arrested, Charged In Shooting Death Of St. Paul Student Da'Qwan Jones-Morris, 17
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Two teenage boys are charged with second-degree manslaughter in the shooting death of Henry Sibley High School senior Da'Qwan Jones-Morris, 17. His funeral will be Nov. 16.
The St. Paul Police Department says Jones-Morris was shot Wednesday afternoon at a home on the 100 block of Annapolis Street, near the city's border with West St. Paul. Police say a 15-year-old boy told investigators he accidentally shot Jones-Morris while playing with a gun that he didn't know was loaded.
That teen and a 16-year-old boy were charged in the shooting Thursday. The criminal complaint says the 16-year-old admitted to stealing the gun from an SUV last week. Both are being held at the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center.
"So many people are just broken down and shocked," said friend Alex Hogg.
Students came to school at Sibley High wearing red in honor of their classmate and friend.
"Da'Qwan's favorite color was always red, so more than like 80% of the school today was all wearing red," Hogg said.
Jones-Morris played basketball and was a captain on the football team. Friends said the talented athlete was known for making everyone laugh.
"He was like the school clown. Like, he would just walk around, make sure everyone was having a good day," said a classmate named Talya.
Outside the home where the shooting happened, the number "21" is proudly displayed. On Thursday, Jones-Morris's mother, Monica Jones, posted on Facebook about the "tragic and sudden loss" of her son. She described him as a gifted athlete who was co-captain of Sibley High's football team, and a key player on the Warriors basketball team.
"Da'Qwan was funny, outgoing, and well-liked by all who knew him," Jones said. "Da'Qwan's death is still such a shock, we are just beginning to experience the depth of our pain, grief and loss as family, friends, classmates, and all in our broader community."
Jones also said her son was actively planning to attend a Minnesota college upon graduating.
Students spent part of the day making cards that will be given to the Jones-Morris family. For now, they hang in the school's media center to show the impact he left on his classmates.
"The loss of Da'Qwan will leave a void in our school for those who knew him," Principal Ron Monson said.
Counselors were made available to students Thursday. The principal said that there was a moment of silence, and students were also planning a vigil to remember Jones-Morris.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the Jones-Morris family with funeral expenses.
Jones-Morris's death marked St. Paul's 28th homicide this year. City police say they are working around the clock in an effort to curb the gun violence that has the plagued the capitol city in 2019.
His wake is Friday, Nov. 15 at 6 p.m. at Estes Funeral Home at 2201 Plymouth Ave. N. in Minneapolis. The funeral is Saturday, Nov. 16 at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, with the viewing at 1 p.m. and the service at 2 p.m. The church is located at 3355 N. 4th St. in Minneapolis.
