Markee Jones, a 12-year-old Black boy described by his mother as smart, always smiling and fond of basketball, was shot and killed in the early morning of August 5, 2023, at his grandmother’s home in the North End of Saint Paul. Police were called just before 5 a.m. to a house on the 200 block of Stinson Street; Markee was found with an apparent gunshot wound and died after being rushed to Regions Hospital. The death was the city’s 22nd homicide that year.

Family members said a loaded gun had been left unattended inside the home and have maintained the shooting was a terrible accident. Markee’s 14-year-old brother was taken into custody on suspicion of manslaughter but was released after the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office said there was not sufficient evidence at that stage; the case was returned to Saint Paul police for further investigation. A candlelight vigil was held to honor Markee, and the family publicly asked for the firearm’s owner to come forward.

If anyone knew Markee, his routines, or has information about the gun left in that house, please come forward.