Jones is the third member of his immediate family to be charged with murder within the last six months.
TRENTON — A manhunt is on for 21-year-old Alton Jones who police now say is responsible for the killings of 19-year-olds Rayshawn Ransom and Tiara Green, slain just three days apart in separate West Ward shootings this month.
Police would not say what they believe connects Jones to the killings other than that he was present at both crime scenes. Ransom was gunned down June 12 on Passaic Street and Green was shot June 15 at Rowan Towers on West State Street.
But police say in each case one or more gunmen fired at a group of people with seemingly little intention to identify and strike particular targets.
“They showed a disregard for human life, and didn’t care where their bullets landed,” said Lt. Steve Varn, head of the department’s detective bureau.
Jones is the third member of his immediate family to be charged with murder within the last six months — his brothers are twins Maurice and Marquise Skillman, according to two law enforcement sources with knowledge of the investigations.
It is unclear whether the twin Skillmans are Jones’ half-brothers or full brothers. They are identified as relatives in an obituary for Alton Jones Sr., which lists his sons as Leroy, Maurice, Marquise, and Alton Jr.
Both Skillman brothers are being held on separate murder charges.
Marquise Skillman has already been charged with murder in Ransom’s killing, and authorities allege both he and Jones were on Passaic Street when Ransom was hit by gunfire. Marquise Skillman was arrested on Monday.
Maurice Skillman was arrested in late December and charged with killing a county corrections officer at a Chambersburg banquet hall last November.
City police said yesterday Jones is considered “armed and dangerous.”
“At this time, we’re actively searching for him,” Varn said yesterday afternoon.
Warrants for Jones’ arrest have been issued on the two homicide charges as well as weapons offenses. As of press time last night, he was still at large.
Ransom was shot in the head and chest on the 100 block of Passaic Street after an argument between a group he was with and men on the sidewalk. Police said there were at least two gunmen involved.
Green, a young woman who was planning to go to cosmetology school, was among a crowd of about 30 people behind the Rowan Towers Apartment complex the night of June 15 when a gunman fired at them from about 50 yards away down a dark alley from Murray Street, police said. Green was struck in the head and killed.
Two others were hit in the same spray of gunfire: a young man who was shot in the buttocks, and a young woman shot in the back who spent much of the week in extremely critical condition in a local hospital. The woman is now expected to survive, Varn said.
Due to the seriousness of the allegations against Jones, police are urging residents to be on the lookout for him, but to call 911 immediately if they sight him. No one should approach Jones on their own, police said.
Jones is described as a black male, 5 foot 7, 175 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Jones has a tattoo on the right side of his neck which reads “Mary.” He may also have an unknown tattoo above his left eye.
Anyone with information on the case should call Detective Scott Peterson at (609) 989-4159 or Detective Brian Egan at (609) 989-4153. Information can also be left on the Confidential Tipline, (609) 989-3663.
Trenton Crime-Stoppers can be reached at 278-TIPS (8477), online attrentoncrimestoppers.com or by texting information and keyword TCSTIPS to 274637.
Contact Alex Zdan at azdan@njtimes.com or (609) 989-5705.
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