JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A local family is continuing its call for justice.
On Thanksgiving Day, loved ones gathered to remember 44-year-old Carlos Jones in Lackawanna.
He was killed last year on Father’s Day and still, no one has been arrested.
Jones was shot and killed inside the University Place Apartment complex in June of 2020.
What led up to the shooting remains unclear and so far, police have not been able to make an arrest in the case, let alone identify a suspect.
His family said Thursday it is the second Thanksgiving holiday in a row in which they have gathered without him.
His daughter Tonisha said that until her father’s killer is captured, the family will never have closure.
They’re hoping someone out there has information that could help police track down a suspect.
“If anyone has information about my father’s death, we have a $5,000 reward, so if you come forward, the reward will be granted to you. We want peace. We want closure. This is the second year my father hasn’t been here with us on Thanksgiving and I know others have lost their loved ones as well,” Tonisha Jones said.
Police say the gunman who killed Jones got away in a car but no one has been able to give police a description of the vehicle.
If anyone has information that can help police track down a suspect, you are urged to contact First Coast Crime Stoppers.
Jones’ daughter and her best friend said their loss has inspired them to start a nonprofit to help steer kids away from getting involved in crime.
It’s called Positive Vibes Only or PVO for short. The idea is to enrich youngsters with positivity to prevent them from living a life of violent crime.
“A lot of our killings are coming from a lot of our teens, so we get out here and grab a lot of our teens and take them down a lane to show them where we came from to prevent them from going down the same road,” said Jones’ best friend who goes by Mr. PVO.
“Just redirecting the youth. Everyone don’t have guidance. Everyone don’t have resources, so we want to be there for them,” Jones said.
This is why the organization holds fun events for kids to not only offer them something positive to do but to redirect their attention from activities that could get them into trouble.
The organization is planning a fun day for kids on Dec. 11 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Xklusive sports bar and grill. They will be giving away free clothing to kids, proving free haircuts and free food.