Son jailed for shooting mother's boyfriend

photo Roderick C. Jones was arrested Monday on charges of attempted first degree murder and aggravated assault. He is accused of shooting his mother's boyfriend at least five times.

A 28-year-old man is in custody this morning facing charges of attempted first-degree murder and aggravated assault after he reportedly shot his mother's boyfriend as many as five times.

Roderick C. Jones, Jr., of Chattanooga, spoke with Chattanooga Police Monday several hours after the shooting. He said he awoke to hear his mother, Angela Ponder, and her boyfriend, Tommy Poindexter, arguing.

Jones said he left his bedroom and saw Poindexter push his mother against the refrigerator. He told police Poindexter said, "I've got something for ya'll," and went towards the closet, according to the arrest report.

Jones said he told Poindexter to leave the residence several times and that he then observed his mother getting choked. He told police he attempted to get Poindexter off his mother before brandishing a .38 revolver and shooting the gun an unknown number of times.

Poindexter went to a residence across the street where police were contacted. He told police Jones shot him, according to the arrest report. He was rushed to surgery at Erlanger hospital and listed in critical condition.

His mother asked Jones why he shot Poindexter and asked him to leave.

Police did not observe any visible red marks on Ponder and questioned if she was actually choked during the argument.

Jones said he was in fear for his mother's life based on what happened to her two years ago.

Court records show that, at one point, Poindexter had a warrant for his arrest for failing to appear in court on July 6, 2010, for a domestic assault charge involving Ponder.

Poindexter initially was arrested Oct. 11, 2009, after Chattanooga police officers responded to 4554 Oakland Ave., where Ponder said she was beaten and strangled.

Ponder's eyes were swollen shut and redness and marks were observed on her face, ears and neck, according to an affidavit of complaint in an arrest report. She was taken to Parkridge Medical Center, according to the report.

When police arrived on scene just before 5 a.m. Monday in response to the latest domestic argument, Ponder initially told authorities she shot Poindexter after he grabbed and pushed her. She said she shot him in an attempt to defend herself. She later stated her son shot Poindexter because he was protecting her.

As of Monday morning, Jones remained in jail on a $100,000 bond. His next court date is set for March 22.

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