J'shaad Jones would have turned 19 on New Year's Day, but was killed in the early morning hours Thursday outside of a bar on Charleston's West Side.
Jones, of Grant Street in Charleston, died after being shot shortly before 2 a.m. outside Artie's Kickback Lounge, at 935 Central Ave.
He was shot in the "upper body" somewhere outside of the bar, which was open, then collapsed in a field behind the bar, said Lt. Steve Cooper, chief of detectives for the Charleston Police Department. Jones was pronounced dead at Charleston Area Medical Center's General Hospital.
Police have not detained or arrested anyone in relation to the shooting, but have interviewed several witnesses. Cooper wouldn't say at an afternoon news conference whether police had suspects.
Jones was wanted in connection to the shooting of 18-year-old Malik Hawke on Dec. 13 in the 200 block of Bream Street. Hawke survived but suffered wounds to the arm and leg.
People in the area of the shooting Thursday heard several shots fired, and a gun was recovered, Cooper said. The front door of the bar was also shot.
Cooper didn't know if the shooting was related to drug activity. He wouldn't say if any surveillance cameras picked up any images of the shooter, or if witnesses saw the shooter.
Artie's Kickback Lounge's private club license was suspended for 10 days in December of 2014 after dozens of rounds were shot into the bar. The bar has been the site of numerous shootings.
The shooting death is the second this week. Tremaine Jackson, 23, of Charleston, was arrested Monday for allegedly killing Bryan Rogers, 29, of the Ripley area, over a heroin theft. Cooper said the shootings don't appear to be related.
Police want anyone with information about Jones' shooting to call 304-348-8111.
Reach Erin Beck
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