Corey Jones purchased a gun only three days before he was killed by a Palm Beach Gardens police officer Sunday, according to Palm Beach Gardens Police Chief Stephen Stepp.
In a news conference Tuesday afternoon, Stepp said that Jones’ gun was found on the ground outside the vehicle of his car. The gun box matching the serial number was found inside the car.
Stepp said detectives located paperwork showing Jones’ recent purchase of the gun.
Other than that information, Stepp did not release many other details about the incident, instead saying that the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office is handling the independent investigation.
“As is our protocol, the Sheriff’s office is conducting an independent investigation using their vast resources,” Stepp said. “Therefore, our knowledge of the exact circumstances of the case are limited. It would be premature for us to speculate on the facts of the case.”
Stepp offered condolences to the family of Jones, 31, who was shot to death by Nouman Raja 3:15 a.m., Sunday after his vehicle broke down on the Interstate 95 southbound exit ramp to PGA Boulevard. Jones, a drummer for a church and a band, was driving back from a gig in Jupiter, friends said.
“His is a tragic loss of life that affects us all,” Stepp said. “I firmly believe that the family deserves answers.”
Stepp said there was no dash cam in Raja’s vehicle because there are only dash cams in traffic DUI vehicles, according to the city. Palm Beach Gardens Police does not use body cameras.
Stepp said he has been reaching out to the Jones family, but has been unable to meet with them.
Sylvester Banks Sr., the grandfather of Corey Jones, watched the news conference from their church in Boynton Beach.
“I cannot explain it, I cannot understand it. Corey’s record on his job shows what kind of person he is. A life is very valuable. God will bring it to justice. We are pleading to you for help for our family,” Banks said. “I would hope that would come out of this is the truth. The truth will be revealed and that will help citizens across the nation and around the world.”
