Home / Houston News / ‘Sigh of relief’ Family speaks about arrests in Jazmine Barnes’ murder as 2nd suspect could face more charges

‘Sigh of relief’ Family speaks about arrests in Jazmine Barnes’ murder as 2nd suspect could face more charges

A second suspect could be charged soon in the murder of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes.

Eric Black Jr., 20, and 24-year-old Larry Woodruffe were arrested on Saturday.

An investigation tip led authorities to Black, who has been charged with capital murder. When he appeared in court on Sunday, it was revealed Jazmine and her family were the victims of mistaken identity, with the suspects believing they were firing at another vehicle.

Court documents show the suspects learned they’d fired at the wrong car after watching the news.

Black is due back in court on Monday

Woodruffe also appeared in court over the weekend on an unrelated drug possession charge, where a judge said he is a suspect in the capital murder investigation. Sources told ABC13 Woodruffe is believed to be the shooter.

Investigators say a traffic stop was conducted on Jan. 5 at the 13600 block of Woodforest Boulevard on a 2007 Pontiac GC Woodruffe was driving for an obscured license plate and a defective light.

According to authorities, when they made contact with Woodruffe they detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from his vehicle. He was detained at the scene.

During a patdown search, officers say they found a plastic bottle containing 124 pills, some which they recognized to be Xanax.

A judge has set Woodruffe’s bail to $100,000, but additional charges could be added.

Although two suspects are in custody, deputies say they’re still working to tie up loose ends in the investigation

The biggest question remains about who the man in the suspect sketch is that Jazmine’s sisters described.

Deputies believe that person may have been a bystander at the crime scene and may have been the one driving a red pickup truck.

Investigators say they still want to talk to that man. They are still going through video and evidence to verify information in the case.

“It was a sigh of relief that police did their job and found who they feel is the right suspect,” said Christopher Cevilla, Jazmine’s father.

Black is being held without bail.

Woodruffe is being held on $100,000 bail

Funeral services for Jazmine will be held Tuesday at the Community of Faith Church at 1024 Pinemont Drive.

A viewing at 10 a.m. will be followed by a funeral at noon. The public is invited to attend.

Jazmine attended Monahan Elementary School in Sheldon ISD. Grief counselors will also be on campus Tuesday to comfort Jazmine’s classmates.

The district’s superintendent is expected to speak at her funeral.

A purple balloon release will be held after the service in honor of Jazmine and other murder victims in Houston and Harris County.

Her family is establishing a scholarship fund in her memory.

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