A man is accused of shooting and killing people at a Fourth of July party in Compton
Eric Washington was at a TikTok-inspired party, surrounded by people he calls friends and family, as they celebrated. 250 years of America. Then, at midnight, disaster struck.
The 37-year-old community activist, along with Meah Bordenave-Jenkins, 19, and two others, were hit by bullets. Washington and Bordenave-Jenkins died at the party.
On Friday, the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office announced the arrest and murder charge against the man suspected in Bordenave-Jenkins’ death. Washington’s death remains unsolved.
“On a day of celebration and community fun … a healthy young life was taken in an instant, two were injured, and a community was torn apart by senseless gun violence,” Dist. He said. Nathan J. Hochman said in a statement. “We will do everything in our power to seek justice for the victims.”
The suspect, Antoine Jones, 54, is accused of opening fire around 11:20 p.m. on July 4 at an apartment on West Laurel Street in Compton, according to prosecutors.
At a press conference Thursday, LA County Sheriff Robert Luna said the shooter may have been targeting two gang members. During these shooting incidents, “they ended up hitting other innocent people who were doing nothing but celebrating with everyone,” said Luna.
Eric Washington, a 37-year-old community activist, Meah Bordenave-Jenkins, 19, and two others were struck by bullets at a 4th of July event in Compton. On Friday, authorities announced murder charges against a man suspected in the shooting, according to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office.
(Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department)
Washington was shot inside the house by an unknown gunman who is still at large, according to Luna.
As the bystanders fled, a second shooting occurred on Laurel Street where Bordenave-Jenkins and the two surviving victims were struck by Jones, Luna said.
Bordenave-Jenkins, who was studying neonatal nursing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, died at the scene, prosecutors said. A 15-year-old and an 18-year-old were seriously injured but survived.
“My daughter was smart, bright, intelligent, [and] and compassion. He had a future. He had a plan. He was doing what he wanted to do in life,” said Ebone Jenkins, Bordenave-Jenkins’ mother. press conference this week. I miss our daily conversations, and so does our family.”
Bordenave-Jenkins bought her first new car one day before the incident, her mother said.
Tina Washington, Eric Washington’s mother, said her son was the life of the party. He was trying to break up a fight at a party, his family told KNBC.
“Eric was very, very, very strong. He was community driven,” Washington said at a press conference. “I will miss him dearly. I pray that we find many more Erics in this world.”
Jones has been charged with one count of murder, two counts of attempted murder and one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. He denied the charges.
His next court date is July 29, when he is scheduled for a preliminary hearing and bail review. Jones’ attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment Saturday.
Authorities disclosed another fatal shooting in the 2100 block of Grandee Avenue, Compton, on July 5. Thaddeus Clark, 30, and another adult were struck by gunfire. Clark did not survive his injuries, Luna said.
“We urge anyone with information about the murder of Mr. Clark and the attempted murder of the surviving victim to contact our homicide office,” Luna said.
A GoFundMe page founded by his family shared that Clark was a father of three children.
“He was also a beloved son, brother, uncle, cousin and friend with love, strength and kindness that touched so many lives,” the GoFundMe post said. “His legacy will live on through his children and everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Anyone with information about either incident can contact investigators at (323) 890-5500.
