Professional athletes, police officers and civil rights activists are stepping up to make sure 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes has the proper funeral and to ensure her killer is brought to justice.
On Sunday, Jazmine was shot and killed by an unknown man in a red pick-up truck as she sat in her family’s car with her mother and sisters. The family had just passed a Houston-area Walmart when he pulled up and began to fire into the car.
Related Story: Reward Offered for Capture of Jazmine Barnes’ Killer
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales said, in a press conference on Thursday, the suspect is described as a thin white man, with blue eyes, wearing a black hoodie, and appeared to be in his 30s or 40s.
Former NBA basketball star and TV personality Shaquille O’Neal, along with a Houston police officer Kenneth Miles, are paying for Jazmine’s funeral. They gave Jazmine’s family a check on Thursday, according to KPRC.
@houstonpolice Officer Kenneth Miles and @SHAQ join forces to cover funeral expenses for 7 year old #JazmineBarnes, the girl shot and killed while riding in a car with her mother and sisters. @kprc2 pic.twitter.com/awv7gtlBQ8
Brandon Walker (@KPRC2Brandon) January 3, 2019
DeAndre Hopkins of the Houston Texans announced via Twitter that he would dedicate his first-round playoff game to Jazmine, and is donating his check from the game to help the family.
When I see Jazmine Barnes’ face, I see my own daughter. I’m pledging my playoff check this week to help her family with funeral costs and to support @shaunking @SherriffED_HCSO @SylvesterTurner in bringing this man to justice. On Saturday, I will be playing in your honor, Jazmine pic.twitter.com/oCRYSgfGO9
Deandre Hopkins (@DeAndreHopkins) January 3, 2019
Jazmine’s funeral will be held at noon on Tuesday at Green House International Church. A viewing will take place at 10 a.m. A balloon release will follow the funeral.
New York City activist Shaun King even offered a $100,000 reward to the person who turns in the gunman.
A grieving mother spoke to reporters stating, “He intentionally killed my child for no reason. He didn’t even know her, he didn’t know who she was.”
A GoFundMe page, “Justice for My daughter Jazmine,” has reached more than $65,000 in donations, greatly surpassing the $6,500 goal.
The Houston Sheriff’s Office has released a composite sketch of the gunman:
Suspected gunmanHarris County Sheriff’s Office in Houston, Texas
Anyone with information about the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (713) 222-8477.
