SPRING, Texas – Two people have been formally charged after they were involved in a murder that led to a manhunt in Spring.
Jerod Cordarius Jones, 17, has been charged with murder. His alleged accomplice, 18-year-old Lloyd Lewis, has been charged with tampering with evidence.
The shooting took place on Friday, Jan. 7, at around 1 p.m. Authorities responded to the 300 block of Cypresswood Drive and found a male with a gunshot wound in his abdomen. The shooting occurred when Reese was in his car, and the people involved in the murder had fled the scene.
OUR FIRST REPORT: 2 suspects in custody after deadly shooting in Spring
The victim, identified as Jaden Tyler Reese, was transported to a hospital and pronounced dead. Another person who was inside the Reese’s car at the time of the shooting was uninjured.
Police believe Jones fired the shots that killed Reese, and Lewis helped collect the shell casings and money that would have linked the pair to the crime.
Deputies with Harris County Pct. 4 Constable’s Office set up a perimeter, attempting to locate those involved. Multiple agencies were involved in the search for the suspects and Garza said at least 50 officers were involved.
The manhunt led officials to an abandoned house, where a large group of teenagers were gathered. At around 3:20 p.m., both Jones and Lewis were found inside the house and taken into custody.
Eight additional teenagers who were inside the house were also detained.
“It appears that it was being used as a party, drug home,” Cpt. Jose Garza with Pct. 4 said following the arrests.
Garza also said they are looking into who owns the house to notify them of what is going on.
Garza added that the shooting reportedly stemmed from a meetup involving a purchase over Facebook Marketplace. In a later update, authorities say they are trying to determine if the meetup may have been drug related.
Multiple agencies were involved in the search for the suspects and Garza said at least 50 officers were involved.
At the time of the murder, Jones was out on bail for pending charges of assault causing bodily injury and criminal mischief.
Both suspects are due back in court Monday morning. Jones’ bond has been set at $150,000. Lewis’ bond is set at $30,000.
