HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — A 22-year-old murder suspect, who authorities said shot his ex-girlfriend’s 9-year-old daughter in the head, is in custody.
Houston police were looking for Jeremiah Jones after a deadly shooting at the Sorrells Heights-area apartment complex late Monday night.
“Jeremiah Jones was taken into custody about 6 pm by HPD SWAT & Tactical Team officers in a parking lot in 22300 blk of Imperial Valley Dr.,” HPD tweeted late Tuesday afternoon.
Police earlier said Jones was charged with capital murder in the death of 9-year-old Khylie Sorrells, whose mother was also wounded in the same incident.
Police were called to the shooting at about 9:54 p.m. at the complex at 404 Oxford St., near E. 4th Street.
According to HPD Lt. J.P. Horelica, there was what authorities described as a domestic disturbance between the mother, Brittany Sorrells, and Jones, but their connection to each other wasn’t immediately known.
At some point, Jones shot Brittany, but Khylie was also hit, Horelica said.
Khylie was shot in the head and taken to the hospital, where she died.
Brittany was shot twice in the arm and also taken to a hospital.
Another child, a toddler, was in the home at the time of the shooting. Police say she was unharmed and is in the care of family members.
HPD Chief Troy Finner said in a statement that Khylie was a student and member of HPD’s Police Activities League (PAL) program.
Neighbor Xavier Alvarez remembers hearing a noise in the apartment unit below his and then shots.
“I heard the gunshots I immediately went outside to see what’s going on,” said Alvarez, who said the Sorrells have lived there less than a year. “Then, I heard the lady screaming, I told my wife to call 911 and I ended up calling 911 as well.”
Prior to his arrest, Houston Police placed surveillance on several locations they thought Jones may appear, including his mother’s home.
Finner visited with the Sorrells family hours before Jones’s arrest. Speaking to ABC13 exclusively after the meeting, Finner says he promised the family that Jones will be found.
“If you visit with a lot of families, especially young victims, not too many of them that I don’t contact,” said Finner. “I think it’s important that they hear from the chief of police, and let them know we’re going to stand with them until the very end.”
Court records show Jones has an extensive criminal history, the most recent charges include evading arrest, making terroristic threats, and violating the terms of his bond. Neighbor Xavier Alvarez was in his upstairs apartment when he heard noise and gunfire.
“All I ask is the citizens and everybody else pray for this family, this is a dear family that lost a kid,” said Finner
The family has created a GoFundMe to help with funeral arrangements
