San Mateo County has witnessed yet another firearms-related incident as 22-year-old Kai Shomari Jones found himself on the wrong side of the law. Jones pleaded no contest to felony discharge of a firearm and is now staring down the barrel of a possible 16-year prison sentence, as announced by the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office. Jones' history further complicates this legal problem, including five previous felony convictions.
Back in July, the Redwood City Police Department arrested Jones following an episode where, while on parole, he discharged a firearm multiple times into the air at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and El Camino Real, as per the San Mateo County District Attorney's Office. The action propelled nearby individuals into seeking cover, an undeniably terrifying experience for innocent passersby.
Kai Shomari Jones (22) pled no contest felony discharge of a firearm, faces up to 16 yrs prison. In July, while on parole, Jones fired a gun 7 times in the air, causing people in the area to take cover, arrested by responding @RedwoodCityPD. Jones has 5 prior felony convictions. pic.twitter.com/TFaoESF45i
— San Mateo County District Attorney (@SanMateoCoDA) September 24, 2024
The motive behind this reckless act might not be as intimidating as the act itself. Kai Jones, who is homeless and originally from Oakland, told authorities he was "just testing" the unregistered handgun after reportedly finding it at the Hillsdale Caltrain station. This statement was part of the narrative provided by District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe, whose office is now pressing three felony charges against Jones, according to the San Mateo Daily Journal.
