January 16, 2015
Thom Carroll/for PhillyVoice
Andre Jourden, son of victim, Kim Jones, spoke at the vigil for his mother.
Three days after Kim Jones was shot in the back of the head while waiting at a bus stop — she had her headphones on and never saw it coming — a vigil was held Friday afternoon in her honor to spread the message to stop gun violence.
About 50 people attended the vigil at the scene of the crime — including one of her sons, Andre Jourden.
Nortauin Rogers, of Philadelphia Ceasefire, attended the vigil as part of the organization's work against gun violence. Its members stage a vigil for every gunfire victim in the 22nd Police District.
"Myself and my colleagues are out here showing people they can be part of the solution," he said.
The 56-year-old child advocate was making her normal commute to work Tuesday morning, waiting for a SEPTA bus at 12th and Jefferson streets, when a man wearing a mask and headphones shot her execution-style.
Jones was director of the Families and Schools Together program at Turning Points for Children in Center City.
During a press conference Friday, Philadelphia police showed surveillance video of the suspect. Capt. James Clark called Jones' killing an execution.
The suspect, described as 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, was wearing a black-and-gray jacket that disguised sex and ethnicity, and carried a black duffel bag. Police said the suspect walked calmly down Jefferson Street.
"[The suspect] made a point of not looking up at the video cameras, almost knew where the cameras were going to be," Clark said. "This was a very well planned execution."
Shortly after Jones was shot, Philadelphia Ceasefire members could be seen putting up posters reading "stop shooting people" near the crime scene. FOX29's David Kinchen tweeted a photo of the posters.
Mike Vogel, CEO of Turning Points for Children, issued a statement on Jones' death:
“We are devastated by the news of Kim’s death,” Vogel said in the statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this tragic time … She was an incredible person and wonderful colleague who inspired everyone she worked with, and she was part of our family for more than 10 years. We will all feel this loss.”
According to the organization's website, a service to celebrate the life of Kim Jones will be held Tuesday, Jan. 20, at the Church of the Advocate, 1801 Diamond St., Philadelphia. A viewing will be held from 8 to 10 a.m., with the funeral service to follow.
A fund has been set up in Jones' memory to perpetuate her legacy of the Families and Schools Together (FAST) program. Checks may be sent to Turning Points for Children, 415 S. 15th St., Philadelphia, PA 19146. Please note in the memo field that it is for the Kim Jones Memorial Fund.
Police are still investigating the incident. Anyone with information is asked to call Philadelphia police at (215) 686-3334.
Thom Carroll contributed to this story.
