Palatka, Florida



From Jacksonville’s FirstCoastNews.com of December 8, 2004

Detecitves Rule Murder as Self Defense



The Putnam County Sheriff's Office is ruling the shooting death of Benjamin Jones by his father a case of self defense. The complete investigation is being forwarded to the State Attorney's Office for review.



Deputies were called to Harding Avenue in Palatka Tuesday night around 11:45 pm. Glen Jones Sr. greeted them outside and told them he had shot his son, 29-year-old Benjamin Wayne Jones. Deputies entered the home to find Benjamin Jones' lifeless body.



Putnam County Sheriff's Office Homicide Detective Dell Parker met with the State Attorney's Office on Thursday to discuss the incident.



Investigators say the incident started Tuesday night when Glenn Jones Sr. was in his bedroom with the bedroom door locked. Benjamin Jones tried to enter the bedroom, but was denied access. Detectives say he tried to force the door open which was evidenced by the door's frame being sprung. Glenn Jones Sr. opened the door armed with a handgun. According to a news release from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, Benjamin Jones grabbed his father and placed him in a headlock. The father the hit his son in the head in an attempt to be freed from the hold. When that didn't work, Glenn Jones Sr. shot Benjamin Jones multiple times in an effort to end the struggle. After the shooting, Glenn Jones Sr. called 911 for assistance.



The decision to deem the case as self-defense is being based on the evidence found at the home and the statements provided to investigators by Glenn Jones Sr. The completed investigation will still be forwarded to the State Attorney's Office for a full review.

No subsequent stories about this incident were found.