Javaris Crittenton faces a homicide charge in the death of Jullian Jones, according to Carlos Campos, APD spokesman.
Crittenton is not in custody and is believed to be in the Los Angeles area, Maj. Keith Meadows said. The FBI is involved with the investigation, and Atlanta authorities are hoping Crittenton will turn himself in, he said.
Jones was walking with others near 2915 Macon Drive in southwest Atlanta around 10 p.m. Aug. 19 when she was shot, Campos said.
Police believe Crittenton fired shots from a black Chevrolet Tahoe, Meadows said. There were several witnesses to the incident, he said.
Jones, a mother of four, was struck in the hip and later died during surgery. Two men walking with Jones fled and were not injured. Investigators believe one of those men was the intended target.
Crittenton may have been seeking retaliation after being robbed April 21, 2011, Campos said.
Crittenton was selected by the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the 2007 NBA Draft and was traded his rookie year to the Memphis Grizzlies.
While playing for the Washington Wizards, Crittenton was involved in a December 2009 locker room incident with then-teammate Gilbert Arenas in which the two pulled guns on each other.
On Jan. 25, 2010, Crittenton pleaded guilty and was given a year of probation on a misdemeanor gun possession charge. Two days later, Crittenton and Arenas were suspended for the rest of the season.
Crittenton wasn’t re-signed by the Wizards. The Charlotte Bobcats signed him to a non-guaranteed contract before last season, but he was waived Oct. 15. He has joined the NBA Development League’s Dakota Wizards.
Crittenton is former AJC “Mr. Basketball” and high school star at Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy. He is originally from Fayette County and still has ties to the area, Meadows said.
Please return for updates.
–The Associated Press contributed to this article.
No Comment