Authorities bring attention to unsolved murder in Haughton
By: Stephanie Claytor
Updated: November 12, 2012
November 13th marks the 23rd anniversary of the killing of Juanita Jones. She was shot and killed in 1989 while working in a Circle K convenience store, which was located at the corner of Bodcau Station and Highway 80.
Authorities said the shooter came in around 10:30 p.m., shot her one time in the head, and then fled in a blue vehicle. She died in the hospital five days later. Jones was working alone that night, and the store did not have surveillance video. She was 32 years old.
The family speaks to the media for the first time and asks for two things: Justice and Closure. They want to know who killed their loved one and they want to be punished.
"They need to pay for what they did," said her mother, Addie Jones.
"It's time for closure. We really want it to be over with. It's been a long time," said her brother, Robert Jones.
Investigators believe the killing was motivated by robbery. Crime Stoppers is putting up a billboard next to the where the crime happened, in hopes that someone will come forward with information. Bossier Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.
"Maybe people who didn't want to tell us things 23 years ago, will come forward to tell us something," said Lt. Shannon Mack, a detective with the Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office.
There are several suspects and witnesses but Mack is missing key information that would lead to an arrest.
"This isn't a real difficult case. I think if we just have one more piece of information whether it's a witness, a third party confession, someone who comes forward and says they have info about it. I think it's just a small thing we're missing."
Juanita Jones served in the Army for four years, before being honorably discharged. At the time of her death, she was working two jobs and opening her own restaurant, Down Home BBQ.
