BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — A teenager is dead after being shot inside his Boynton Beach home Sunday morning during a dispute, according to police.
The Boynton Beach Police Department responded to the 500 block of Northwest Ninth Avenue at around 9 a.m. Sunday, and found Josiah Jones, 17, with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. Jones was taken to Delray Medical Center and died from his injuries shortly after.
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It was revealed to investigators on scene that Trenton Robinson, 24, was at the residence to pick up his son from the mother of his child. An argument ensued between Robinson and the mother, and Jones was shot by Robinson while trying to break up the altercation.
According to police, Robinson told investigators that Jones had him pinned to a bed during the argument and that he was attempting to remove a gun from his sweatshirt pocket to avoid shooting himself when the gun accidentally discharged.
WPTV's Zitllai Solache spoke with Reverend Lee Sapp with Greater Saint Paul AME Church, who says Jones' family attends the congregation. She rushed to support the family during the tragedy.
“The entire family attends my church. I sent one of my associate ministers to be with the family at the hospital and I came after service. That’s when we learned he had just passed away," said Reverend Sapp.
She adds Jones was an active member of the church, served in the youth group and was the youngest of three siblings. Reverend Sapp said Jones was charming, manner-able and charismatic.
“I remember I have this jar in my office at the church, full of candy. He would often make up reasons to come into the office to take my candy," said Reverend Sapp. "I just remember him being very charismatic and engaging."
Police found a .40-caliber handgun at the scene along with one shell casing.
Robinson was arrested and now faces a charge of second-degree murder with a firearm. He is being held at the Palm Beach County Jail without bond.
