A 9-year-old boy, Princeton Nicholas Jones, tragically lost his life to gunfire in West Rancho Dominguez, Compton, as reported by multiple sources including NBC Los Angeles and KTLA. The incident took place outside his grandparents' residence on Haskins Avenue around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Soon after, in memory of the boy, a vigil was organized for Sunday at the same location.
Investigations continue without a suspect description or arrest, and officials have yet to disclose whether they believe the incident was gang-related. Princeton, who was diagnosed with mild autism at an early age but had started speaking fluently by five, was remembered by his heart-stricken mother, Shenika Akins, who, in a statement reported by FOX LA, implored, "If anyone knows who did this, can you please say something? Because my nephew didn’t deserve this."
The City of Compton, in a statement concurrent with the sentiments of the family and community, expressed their sorrow over the incident and urged anyone with information to step forward. According to KTLA, the statement issued read, "The City of Compton mourns the loss of the 9-year-old boy who was killed on Saturday evening in West Rancho Dominguez. Our hearts go out to the family as they cope with this tremendous loss."
A GoFundMe page has been established to cover funeral expenses and to celebrate Princeton's life, his family saying they want to honor him in a way "that reflects the love and joy he brought into this world," as memorialized on the fundraising page, a sentiment echoed by various media outlets, in the midst of a community rally that saw voices like Najee Ali, director of Project Islamic Hope, and Paulette Gibson, president of the Compton NAACP, calling for an end to the senseless violence afflicting the youth in the area, because, after all, this is a community – a place where, as told by ABC7, Gibson stated, "It is unfortunate that our young people can't feel safe in their own community."
Anyone with potentially helpful information is asked to contact the LA County Sheriff's Department.
