Police in Texas have released a composite sketch of the suspect wanted in connection with the murder of seven-year-old Jazmine Barnes in a case that has terrified a community and sparked outrage across the nation. Around 7 a.m. on Sunday morning, Jazmine was shot and killed while sitting in a car near a Houston-area Walmart.
The FBI has also joined local law enforcement in a Texas manhunt to locate the suspect. Authorities said the unidentified gunman, who drove up to Jazmine’s family’s car and opened fire for no apparent reason, is a bearded white male in his 40s. They have released a grainy video screengrab of his vehicle but said it did not have any license plates to assist in identifying the owner.
Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal and Houston police officer Kenneth Miles have joined forces to cover the funeral costs of Jazmine. Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins tweeted Thursday that he would be dedicating Saturday’s playoff game to Jazmine and donating his check from the game to help the family.
“When I see Jazmine Barnes’ face, I see my own daughter,” Hopkins said in a Tweet. “I’m pledging my playoff check this week to help her family with funeral costs and to support Shaun King, Ed Gonzalez (and Mayor) Sylvester Turner in bringing this man to justice. On Saturday, I will be playing in your honor, Jazmine.”
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-8477.
