💛 A quick favor, if you've got a second.
We're really happy that you chose to read one of our stories and sincerely hope you'll stick around to read more. We took our paywall down — for now — but that won't last forever, and when the gate goes back up, we'd love for you to already be on the inside.
It's free. So please enter your email here and don't forget to like and follow us on all of your favorite Social Media platforms!
Wilkhari Jones, 25, received a 13-year prison sentence Thursday from Miami-Dade County Circuit Court Judge Laura Gonzalez-Marques for his involvement in the April 24, 2020, shooting of Officer Erica Socarras in Miami. Jones was a scholarship student-athlete at Miami Edison Senior High School with a full football scholarship to Florida Memorial University when arrested six years ago, court documents indicate. The judge emphasized the severity of the crime during sentencing, urging Jones to reflect on his actions while incarcerated.
The shooting occurred during a traffic stop at the intersection of Northwest 22nd Avenue and 54th Street in the Brownsville neighborhood. Detective Socarras, operating an unmarked Dodge Charger as part of a tactical robbery unit, was not physically injured when a round struck her Taser on her gun belt, police said. Jones pleaded guilty to first-degree attempted murder with a deadly weapon, throwing a deadly missile, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Gonzalez-Marques also imposed three years of probation and ordered Jones to maintain distance from Socarras. Co-defendant Antranard Womble received a 15-year sentence for his participation in the shooting. Jones has remained jailed without bond since August 20, 2020, and faces two additional pending cases involving battery charges by a detainee, according to court and inmate records.
More Stories
Georgia Father Receives 15-Year Sentence for Providing Gun Used in High School Massacre
Georgia Mother Thwarts Alleged Abduction Attempt Using Gas Pump at Station
Pedestrian Struck and Killed by SUV in Central Broward County