The man who allegedly shot a 7-year-old Rhea County boy on Jan. 14 was the victim's relative, and now a bond has been set in the case, according to authorities.
Chris'tion Hamilton Jones, 19, of Dayton, is charged in the killing of Jo'Zie Shane Brown. The two were alone at a home on Upper Fine Lane north of town, according to Rhea County Sheriff's Office Detective Rocky Potter.
"They're related through marriage," Potter said in a phone interview. "The parents had run to town on an errand, and the young boy was left with the 19-year-old. They (the parents) stated that he's watched him before."
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A bond has been set for Jones at $500,000 as he faces a status hearing on Feb. 6, according to Potter.
Deputies on Jan. 14 answered the initial call, which was reported to dispatchers as a shooting, according to the affidavit filed in the case by Rhea County Detective Jesse Wilkey. As officers headed to the home they were told the boy had already been transported to the emergency room at Rhea Medical Center in a private vehicle.
During a search the day of the shooting, Wilkey found what investigators believed was blood on the living room floor and a couch in the room, the affidavit states. Wilkey found a live cartridge on the floor in the living room, a spent cartridge in the kitchen area and three firearms on a bed. Jones also was found with stains on his clothing that appeared to be blood.
At the Rhea Medical Center emergency room, Wilkey identified an apparent bullet wound to the boy's head, according to the document. The youth was later transported from Dayton to Erlanger hospital in Chattanooga, where he died.
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After first telling investigators there was a struggle for the gun, Jones allegedly confessed during a Jan. 19 interview to "discharging a Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9mm handgun, which he had pointed at Jo'Zie Brown's head causing his death," the affidavit states.
According to his obituary, Jo'Zie Brown is survived by two mothers, two sisters, four brothers, which includes Chris'tion Jones in the list, and other relatives. The boy loved playing sports and video games and was described as "an awesome kid who always brought a smile to everyone's face."
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569.