Preonda Jones

Preonda Monice Jones, a 37-year-old Black woman, was a beloved member of the Fort Wayne, Indiana community whose life was cut short in a brutal act of violence in January 2018. Remembered by those who knew her, Preonda’s sudden death left a void in the lives of her family and friends. Her funeral service was held on Saturday, February 3, 2018, at the New Zion Tabernacle on Spring Street, where loved ones gathered to mourn and honor her memory.

The tragedy occurred on Saturday, January 20, 2018, inside a Fort Wayne home. In an event prosecutors would later describe as a senseless act of violence, Preonda was shot and killed. She was not the only victim. Also slain in the attack was 24-year-old Brianna Gould, who was pregnant at the time. Her unborn child, determined to be at a viable age, did not survive, bringing the death toll to three. The violent encounter left the community in shock and prompted an immediate and intensive police investigation.

The Fort Wayne Police Department quickly identified a person of interest. Their investigation led them to Deyante Antuan Stephens, then 27 years old, also of Fort Wayne. Police located Stephens at a different location where he was reportedly trying to gain entry into an apartment. Officers noted that he was bleeding from his hand and had blood on his clothing. According to court documents, upon his arrest, Stephens begged the officers to shoot him. The evidence gathered at the scene and during the arrest pointed directly toward his involvement in the triple homicide.

Prosecutors in Allen County moved forward with a case against Stephens, charging him with three separate counts of murder for the deaths of Preonda Jones, Brianna Gould, and Gould's unborn fetus. The state also filed for a sentencing enhancement for the use of a firearm in the commission of the crimes. Each murder charge carried a potential penalty of up to 65 years in prison, with the gun enhancement adding a possible 20 more years.

The trial began in Allen Superior Court in February 2019 and lasted three days. The prosecution presented its case, laying out the details of the horrific crime. Stephens' defense attorney, Anthony Churchward, argued that there were no eyewitnesses who saw his client shoot the women. The jury was not persuaded by this argument. After deliberating for less than two hours, they returned a verdict, finding Deyante Stephens guilty on all three counts of murder. He was also found guilty of the firearms enhancement. Throughout the reading of the verdict, Stephens reportedly showed no emotion.

On April 5, 2019, Deyante Stephens appeared for sentencing. He received a 60-year sentence for each of the three murders, with the judge ordering them to be served consecutively, one after the other. An additional 20 years were added for the use of a firearm during the crime. The total sentence amounted to 200 years in prison, ensuring that the man responsible for the deaths of Preonda Jones, Brianna Gould, and her unborn child would be held accountable for his devastating actions. The case is considered solved and closed with the conviction and sentencing of Stephens.