New details released in Woodview Terrace shooting
A shooting suspect allegedly pulled the trigger on a handgun and misfired, then walked closer toward a 23-year-old man and fired the shot that killed him.
Toney Robert Jones, 22, of 409 Woodview Terrace is lodged in Fayette County Prison and denied bail in the death of Jarod Jamon Ashburn outside a Woodview Terrace apartment building in North Union Township.
Ashburn was found lying on the ground outside the 400 building with a gunshot wound to his chest at about 11 a.m. Thursday. He was rushed to Uniontown Hospital by Fayette EMS, where he was pronounced dead.
According to the affidavit, state police obtained surveillance footage of Jones shooting Ashburn. He allegedly pointed the gun at Ashburn and pulled the trigger, but it did not fire. He then walked toward Ashburn, pointed the gun at him again and pulled the trigger, firing a bullet into his chest. Jones then walked back into the apartment, where he was later taken into custody without incident. Police said multiple witnesses reported they saw the shooting and corroborated the story.
Police have not released a motive in the killing.
The Woodview Terrace housing development was on lockdown for about 3 1/2 hours while state police conducted an investigation, arresting the suspect, interviewing witnesses and collecting evidence.
Jones, who is originally from New York, recently moved into his apartment in the building, according to neighbors. Friends of Ashburn described him as a man who kept to himself.
“He was a cool guy, just trying to get his life on track,” said Stephen Richardson, who knew Ashburn for two years.
He had a young child, according to a childhood friend.
Richardson said Woodview Terrace was a safe housing development that recently took a downward turn. The former manager strictly enforced laws on the property, he said.
“It’s starting to get crazy,” he said.
Jones is facing one count of criminal homicide. He was arraigned at 8 p.m. Thursday by on-call Magisterial District Judge Jennifer Jeffries.