Family of Markee Jones, boy fatally shot in St. Paul, say someone left loaded gun inside grandmother's home
ST. PAUL, Minn. – Family and friends gathered in St. Paul Sunday evening for a candlelight vigil in honor of a 12-year-old boy who was shot and killed early Saturday morning.
Family has identified the boy as Markee Jones, describing him Sunday as a "sweet boy" who brought out the positivity in everyone.
St. Paul Police say the shooting happened early Saturday morning on the 200 block of Stinson Street. A 14-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter in connection to the shooting. Markee's family identified the 14-year-old as his brother, and say it was a tragic accident after someone left a loaded firearm in the home with the kids.
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"He loved to be outside, loved to play. He was adventurous," said uncle Martez Hill. "He was growing and becoming a young man."
His family says someone left a loaded firearm in his grandmother's home, where he and his brother were staying. Police arrested his brother on suspicion of manslaughter.
"This boy is 14 years old. He don't know what's going on," said great aunt Marilyn Hill. "We need him to be accountable because that child, baby that's sitting up in jail, he's innocent. You can't choose and charge a child because for a mistake."
Markee's cousins say their grandmother's home is a safe haven, full of fond memories with Markee.
"It's gonna really hurt just not seeing him at my grandmother's house anymore," said cousin Chyarm Hill. "Just playing with him, just seeing him, it's gonna really hurt."
They say Markee's mother is now having to deal with the loss of one child, while the legal fate of her other child is up in the air.
St. Paul police say they are talking to witnesses, but haven't released any details about what led up to the shooting.
A number of neighbors who did not want to go on camera said they would like to see tougher gun storage laws. St. Paul just passed one of the toughest storage ordinances in the state.
Mayor Melvin Carter posted on social media Saturday that he's grieving with the family and loved ones of Markee Jones." Carter is expected to address gun violence in his city budget address this Thursday.
As of Monday, Markee's brother remains in custody at the Ramsey County Juvenile Detention Center.
On Monday afternoon, the Ramsey County Attorney's Office released the following statement:
The Saint Paul Police Department presented an investigation to our office for review related to a fatal shooting incident that occurred in Saint Paul on the morning of August 5, 2023 in which the victim was a twelve-year-old child. Minnesota data privacy laws prohibit the Ramsey County Attorney's Office from providing any additional information about this incident.