Two St. Paul brothers have been killed in cold blood approximately two-and-a-half years apart.
Regis A. Jones, 31, was shot dead in the backyard of a residence at the 600 block of Blair Avenue late Friday morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene after medics found him unresponsive and not breathing. Officers are still working to determine a motive for Jones’ murder.
One suspect was arrested in Shakopee on Sunday evening. Delaquay Levius Williams, 27, was booked into the Ramsey County Jail on suspicion of murder, though as of this writing he has not yet been charged with a crime.
Jones’ death marks the 10th homicide in the city of St. Paul in 2022. If the current homicide rate is maintained through the end of the year, the city will shatter its previous homicide record (38) set just last year.
Jones’ brother was a homicide victim himself just two-and-a-half years ago. Shawn Jones, 28, was killed by rival gang members in October 2019. Marcus Anthony Baker, 35, and Brandon Maurice Baker, 29, shot Shawn Jones as they pulled up alongside his vehicle. They have both been convicted and sentenced to prison for their roles in his murder: 40 years for Marcus Baker, seven years for Brandon Baker.
Wendell Jones, the father of Regis and Shawn, posted his reactions to the most recent of his sons’ murders on Facebook.
“Facebook friends and family I woke up this morning with a heavy heart I just lost another son to gun violence please pray for me and my family. R.I.P. Regis Jones,” he said with a picture of Regis attached.
“God’s got other plans for both of my son’s damn it’s sad but I understand gone but never ever forgotten R.I.H. Shawn and Regis Jones forever together in Jesus mighty name Amen,” he said in a second post with a picture of both brothers attached.
Evan Stambaugh
Evan Stambaugh is a freelance writer who had previously been a sports blogger. He has a BA in theology and an MA in philosophy.
