LINCOLN, Neb. — A Nebraska man charged with second-degree murder in a random shooting last week allegedly said, “Watch me shoot at this bus,” before firing a shot that killed a woman, authorities said.
Joel Jones Jr., 28, of Lincoln, was booked into the Lancaster County Jail after Thursday’s shooting, according to jail records. He remains in custody and bail was set at $2 million, according to arrest records.
Jones was charged with second-degree murder, use of a firearm to commit a felony, unlawful discharge of a firearm, use of a firearm to commit a felony, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
Sharon Johnson, 69, was the only passenger of a Lincoln city bus that was traveling eastbound when she was shot Thursday, KETV reported.
In court documents, Lincoln police gave details they said were obtained from video and witness accounts, according to the Lincoln Journal Star.
Police said Jones was believed to be a passenger in a Chevrolet Malibu on Thursday moments before the shooting, the newspaper reported. According to court documents, Jones allegedly pulled a black Taurus 9 mm handgun out of his waistband and pointed it out the window before firing the weapon. Police said Jones allegedly said “Watch me shoot at this bus,” the Journal Star reported.
The driver of the Malibu, Jarell Wheeler, 20, was arrested and charged with accessory to a first-degree felony, according to Lancaster County jail records. He remains in jail under a $250,000 bail.
On Friday, Lincoln police Chief Jeff Bliemeister said investigators believed Jones had purposely fired into the bus, but added he did not believe he was targeting Johnson, the Journal Star reported.