STOCKTON – Jeremy Wayne Jones, the defendant in the Tracy Chevron homicide who is facing charges in the killing of 30-year-old Justin Peoples, has indications of ties to white supremacist groups, officials said Friday.
Tattoos on Jones’ arms read the words “white pride,” while another tattoo displays a swastika behind a winged skeleton.
Tracy Police Chief Sekou Millington described the attack on Peoples as heinous and unprovoked. The interaction between the two parties was very brief, he said. Peoples was found suffering from multiple stab wounds and shot. He was rushed to a hospital where he later died.
Millington said detectives were able to identify Jones and the getaway vehicle during the investigation. When asked to elaborate on what led to the filing of hate crime charges, District Attorney Tori Verber Salazar declined to provide specific details, however said that she wouldn’t have charged the crime unless she had evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that this was hate-based.
“It is clear by the actions of the defendants,” she said. “It is on video because it is at a convenience store, so we do have that information. Based on what we observed, based on the past history of the involved parties we believe we can make this a special circumstance of a hate crime.”
Verber Salazar went on to comment that Jones’ tattoos are commonly associated with white supremacist groups, particularly in the prison system.
Peoples’ aunt said he walked into a convenience store and was gunned down because of the color of his skin.
“Today is the day we fight for justice for Justin,” she said shortly after the court hearing.
Documents filed in San Joaquin County Superior Court indicate that Christina Garner of Manteca was the shooter in the case. Jones is said to have used a knife during the attack, according to the complaint. He was recently released from prison on March 1st.
A third defendant, Christopher Dimenco, was charged as an accessory in the case. All were held without bail and expected to return to court on April 4th.
