Erin Jones Obituary, Death; – Four individuals apprehended in relation to a drive-by shooting that resulted in the death of a 20-year-old University of Arizona student appeared in court on Tuesday.
Erin Jones was fatally shot while attending a house party on April 28, as reported by the Tucson Police Department. Approximately two months following her death, law enforcement identified the following suspects:
Estevan Garcia, 18
Tevion Beale, 17
Marcus Ian Williams, 17
Akeem Alvarez, 17
During the court proceedings, Judge Casey F. McGinley stated that “at least 87 shots” were discharged on the night of the incident, including the shot that killed Jones. The judge further noted that over nine firearms were recovered in connection with the case.
A defense attorney contended that a considerable amount of evidence, such as body camera footage and surveillance recordings, had not been presented to the grand jury prior to the indictment.
The attorney also asserted that there is “nothing” significant linking Alvarez to the murder, claiming that multiple shooters and firearms associated with the case do not involve Alvarez, who reportedly has no prior criminal history.
Judge McGinley reviewed the video clips presented by the attorney in court, indicating that additional time is required for the court to thoroughly examine the new evidence.
Garcia, Beale, Williams, and Alvarez were arrested in June and are each facing charges of first-degree murder and drive-by shooting, to which they have previously pleaded not guilty, according to KGUN.
“In light of the tragic loss of sophomore Erin Jones early this morning off-campus, our Wildcat community is in mourning,” stated University President Robert C. Robbins in a statement following her death. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to Erin’s family in California and across the nation, as well as to her friends and classmates in Tucson and Newport Beach, who are grappling with this devastating news.”
Police previously reported that three other individuals at the party sustained injuries but survived. The residence was rented by members of the University of Arizona football team, as previously noted by KVOA.
